Multiple news sources reported on the attack in Frankfurt, Germany, that killed two US Air Force airmen and seriously wounded two more.  Said President Obama:

“I’m saddened and I am outraged by this attack that took the lives of two Americans and wounded two others.  I think the American people are united in expressing our gratitude for the service of those who were lost.  I want everybody to understand that we will spare no effort in learning how this outrageous act took place and in working with German authorities to ensure that all of the perpetrators are brought to justice.”

The Airmen were reportedly USAF Security Forces in transit from Lakenheath, England, to either Iraq or Afghanistan.  US military members routinely travel on a combination of military and commercial air to their destinations, and may have been in transition between the two when they were on the military bus at the commercial airport.  It is a cruel tragedy they came under attack before even entering the war zone.

Though there are many details yet to be confirmed, some sites reported that the shooter was a young German-born Kosovar and “devout Muslim” named Arid Uka.  The attacker reportedly shouted “Allah akbar” during the attack, which may or may not have been preceded by some kind of argument.  He has apparently admitted his actions, saying he acted alone; authorities in Germany are saying he appears to have been motivated by Islamic extremism.

Rep. Patrick Meehan (R-PA) made a qualified comment about the appearance of terrorism in the attack, which would have interesting implications in the strikingly similar attack at Fort Hood, which was roundly decried as ‘not terrorism.’  The Christian Science Monitor wonders aloud if the ‘success’ of the Fort Hood attack has inspired a wave of “simpler” terrorist actions against what were once called “soft” targets.