The Single Deadliest Incident of the U.S. War in Afghanistan.

When the Boeing CH-47D Chinook helicopter was hit, all 38 onboard were killed instantly.

the mission:

The mission objective was to capture or kill Qari Tahir, a senior Taliban chief in Tangi Valley. It was believed his position as a senior chief connected him to upper-echelon Taliban leadership in Pakistan. The US forces involved used two CH-47D Chinooks – callsigns “Extortion 16” and “17” – to transport 47 ground troops with the 75th Ranger Regiment to a landing site near Tahir’s compound. The position was a mere 20 miles from where the helicopters took off.

Three hours after leaving the choppers, the ground forces had secured the compound and detained many of Tahir’s fighters, with the help of support helicopters. However, they’d been unable to locate him. As more enemy fighters gathered, reinforcements were called in. An Immediate Response Force (IRF) commander decided to up the reinforcement count from the predetermined 17 to 32, bulking up the core Navy SEAL team. The commander also decided that, in order to get all of the reinforcements on the ground as quickly as possible, they would fly on the same helicopter: Extortion 17. The hope was they would arrive and act so swiftly that the Taliban would have no time to react. Extortion 16 would fly empty, hovering nearby in case help was needed.

Thirty eight reinforcements boarded Extortion 17.  Seventeen were Navy SEALS; 15 from the Gold Squadron of the Special Warfare Development Group – better known as SEAL Team 6. Months earlier, the group had been involved in the raid that took out al-Qaeda founder, Osama Bin Laden. Other passengers onboard Extortion 17 were Navy Special Warfare support personnel; US Air Force, Army Reserve and Army National Guard members; Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) commandos and an Afghan interpreter. This equaled 30 US military personnel and eight Afghan nationals. One of the Extortion 17’s pilots, David Carter of the Colorado Army National Guard, was one of the most experienced helicopter pilots in the US military at the time, having banked over 4,000 hours of flight time.

what happened:

At approximately 2:30 AM, Extortion 17 began to make its descent toward the landing zone. When it was between 100-150 feet off of the ground, traveling at only 58 MPH, unseen enemy fighters emerged from the tower of a two-story building carrying rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) launchers on their shoulders. Two rounds were fired at roughly the same time.
 
The first round missed the helicopter, but the second hit one of the rear rotor blades, exploding and severing it 10 feet in. The rear pylon of the chopper was ripped off of the fuselage, due to the spinning rotor assembly’s torque imbalance. The forward rotor system was also torn off, and less than five seconds after the second RPG round hit, Extortion 17 spun uncontrollably.
 
The helicopter crashed into a dry creek bed and exploded into a mass of fire upon contact. Everyone onboard was killed instantly. The attack was completely unexpected and many believed something shifty must have happened. Conspiracy theories and misinformation spread, including the belief that the Taliban had been tipped off. There were also rumors that the mission was a trap or retribution for SEAL Team 6’s part in taking out Bin Laden. No evidence was ever produced to validate any of these claims. And, the key phrase here is 'evidence'.

Below are the brave men who died in this tragic operation, may you remember them as hero's this Veterans Day:

• Sgt. Alexander J. Bennett, 24, of Tacoma, Wash. He was assigned to the 7th Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment (General Support Aviation Battalion), New Century, Kansas
  

Alex Bennett was born on October 31, 1986, in Christiansburg, Virginia. He enlisted in the Washington Army National Guard as Rifleman with Company A, 1st Battalion of the 161st Infantry Regiment on March 26, 2004, and attended basic training at Fort Benning, Georgia, from June to August 2004. Pvt Bennett attended Advanced Individual Training as an Infantryman at Fort Benning from July to August 2006, and then transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve in March 2007. He next attended CH-47 Chinook helicopter repairer training at Fort Eustis, Virginia, from March to July 2007, and then served as a CH-47 flight engineer and crew chief with 7th Battalion of the 158th Aviation Regiment in Washington and Kansas from July 2007 until he was killed in action aboard a CH-47 in Afghanistan on August 6, 2011. During this time, SPC Bennett deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from February to December 2009, and to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom from March 2011 until his death on August 6. He was posthumously promoted to Sergeant with date of rank of August 6, 2011. Alexander Bennett was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

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• Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL) Darrik C. Benson, 28, of Angwin, California
  

Darrik Benson was born on October 3, 1982, in Angwin, California. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on August 29, 2001, and attended basic training at NTC Great Lakes, Illinois, from September to November 2001, followed by Aviation Ordnanceman training at NATTC Pensacola, Florida, from November 2001 to February 2002. Benson next completed Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL Training, Jump School, and SEAL Qualification Training before being assigned to SEAL Team THREE at NAB Coronado, California, from June 2003 to September 2009. During this time, SO1 Benson deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom multiple times between 2004 and 2008. His next assignment was with the Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGRU) at Dam Neck, Virginia, from September 2009 until he was killed in action aboard a CH-47 Chinook helicopter in Afghanistan on August 6, 2011. Darrik Benson was buried at Fort Rosecrans National Cemtery in San Diego, California.

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• Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Brian R. Bill, 31, of Stamford, Connecticut

Brian Bill was born on August 23, 1979, in Stamford, Connecticut. After completing his bachelor's degree in electrical engineering at Norwich University in Northfield, Vermont, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy on May 9, 2001, and went on active duty beginning July 2, 2001. He attended basic training at NTC Great Lakes, Illinois, from July to September 2001, and then completed his A School at NATTC Pensacola, Florida, from September to November 2001. Petty Officer Bill attended Underwater Demolition/SEAL training at NAB Coronado, California, Basic Airborne training at Fort Benning, Georgia, and SEAL Qualification training at NAB Coronado, from November 2001 to June 2003. His first assignment was with SEAL Team EIGHT at NAB Little Creek, Virginia, from July 2003 to July 2007, followed by service with Naval Special Warfare Development Group at Dam Neck, Virginia, from July 2007 until he was killed in action when the CH-47 Chinook helicopter he was aboard was shot down in Afghanistan on August 6, 2011. While serving with SEAL Team EIGHT and DEVGRU he deployed multiple times in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. Brian Bill was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

• Tech. Sgt. John W. Brown, 33, of Tallahassee, Florida

John Brown was born on November 3, 1977, in Sacramento, California. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force on March 18, 2002, and completed basic training at Lackland AFB, Texas, in May 2002. After completing the U.S. Air Force Pararescue Pipeline, Sgt Brown served as a Pararescueman with the 38th Rescue Squadron at Moody AFB, Georgia, from October 2004 to March 2006, followed by service as a Pararescueman with the 31st Rescue Squadron at Kadena AB, Okinawa, from March 2006 to March 2009. His next assignment was as a Pararescueman and Special Tactics Team Member with the 24th Special Tactics Squadron at Pope AFB, North Carolina, from January 2009 until he was killed in action when the CH-47 Chinook helicopter he was aboard was shot down in Afghanistan on August 6, 2011. John Brown was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

• Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL/Parachutist) Christopher G. Campbell, 36, of Jacksonville, North Carolina

Chris Campbell was born on September 16, 1974, at Tripler Army Medical Center on Oahu, Hawaii. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on October 11, 1996, and reported for active duty to attend basic training on November 25, 1996. Campbell attended basic training at NTC Great Lakes, Illinois, from November 1996 to February 1997, followed by training at the Fleet Combat Training Center, Atlantic, at Dam Neck, Virginia, from February to April 1997. Petty Officer Campbell next attended Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training at NAB Coronado, California, from May 1997 to February 1998, and then Jump School at Fort Benning, Georgia, during March of 1998. His first assignment was with SEAL Team FIVE at NAB Coronado from May 1998 to March 2004, followed by additional training with SEAL Team SEVEN and at Training Support Center San Diego, California, from April to May 2004. He served with Navy Special Warfare Center Training Detachment Key West, Florida, from June 2004 to February 2006, and then with Naval Special Warfare Development Group at Dam Neck from February 2006 until he was killed in action when the CH-47 Chinook helicopter he was aboard was shot down in Afghanistan on August 6, 2011. While serving with SEAL Team FIVE, Petty Officer Campbell deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan multiple times. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

• Chief Warrant Officer David R. Carter, 47, of Centennial, Colorado. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 135th Aviation Regiment (General Support Aviation Battalion), Aurora, Colorado

David Carter was born on July 12, 1964, at RAF Mildenhall, England. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve on December 23, 1983, and went on active duty to begin basic training in May 1984. SP4 Carter completed Military Police One Station Unit Training (OSUT) at Fort McClellan, Alabama, in September 1984, and he then served with the 346th Military Police Company of the U.S. Army Reserve at Hutchinson, Kansas, until he joined the Kansas Army National Guard on October 15, 1985. His next assignment was as a petroleum handling specialist with the 435th General Support Aviation Company at Salina, Kansas, from October 1985 until he was selected for Warrant Officer Training in July 1987. Carter was appointed a Warrant Officer in the Kansas Army National Guard and was designated a Rotary Wing Aviator on May 26, 1988, and then served as an OH-58 Kiowa scout pilot with the Kansas Army National Guard until he transferred to the Colorado Army National Guard on September 1, 1988. Chief Warrant Officer Carter served as an AH-1 Cobra pilot with Company C and then Company A, 2d Battalion of the 135th Aviation Regiment of the Colorado Army National Guard at Aurora, Colorado, from September 1988 to November 1996, followed by service as a UH-1 Iroquois and then CH-47 Chinook pilot and instructor pilot with Company B, 2d Battalion of the 147th Aviation Regiment at Eagle, Colorado, from November 1996 to December 2002. His next assignment was as a CH-47 instructor pilot with Detachment 1, Company E of the 168th Aviation Regiment at Aurora, Colorado, from December 2002 to November 2005, and then as a CH-47 instructor pilot with Detachment 1, Company B, 2d Battalion of the 135th Aviation Regiment at Aurora and then at Buckley AFB, Colorado, from November 2005 to until he was killed in action when his CH-47 call sign Extortion 17 was shot down by an enemy rocket-propelled grenade on August 6, 2011. During this time, Chief Warrant Officer Carter had served on active duty in AGR status with the Colorado Army National Guard from April 2005 to March 2006, and from August 2007 to May 2011. He had been activated for service in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom from August 2006 to August 2007, and for service in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom from July 2011 until his death a month later. Chief Warrant Officer Carter was posthumously promoted to CW5. David Carter was buried at the Grandview Cemetery at Fort Collins, Colorado.

• Information Systems Technician Petty Officer 1st Class (Expeditionary Warfare Specialist/Freefall Parachutist) Jared W. Day, 28, of Taylorsville, Utah

Jared Day was born on August 12, 1982, in Salt Lake City, Utah. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on July 1, 2002, and went on active duty to begin basic training on November 25, 2002. Day completed basic training at NTC Great Lakes, Illinois, in February 2003, and then attended Information Systems Technician A School at NTC Great Lakes from February to May 2003. His first assignment was at Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station Keflavik, Iceland, from June 2003 to July 2004, followed by additional training with Fleet Aviation Specialized Operational Training Group Pacific at Naval Air Station North Island, California, in July and August 2004. Petty Officer Day served with the Naval Special Warfare Command at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, California, from August to November 2004, and then served with Naval Special Warfare Group 3 at NAB Coronado from November 2004 to November 2007. His final assignment was with Naval Special Warfare Development Group at Dam Neck, Virginia, from November 2007 until he was killed in action when the CH-47 Chinook helicopter he was aboard was shot down in Afghanistan on August 6, 2011. Jared Day was buried at Kanosh Cemetery in Kanosh, Utah. On July 24, 2013, Petty Officer First Class Jared W. Day was posthumously awarded the National Intelligence Medal for Valor by the Director of National Intelligence, James R. Clapper.

• Master-at-Arms Petty Officer 1st Class (Expeditionary Warfare Specialist) John Douangdara, 26, of South Sioux City, Nebraska

John Douangdara was born on December 29, 1984, in Sioux City, Iowa. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on February 15, 2002, and went on active duty to begin basic training on February 4, 2003. Douangdara completed basic training at NTC Great Lakes, Illinois, in April 2003, and then attended Master-at-Arms training at Hampton Roads, Virginia, from April to June 2003. His first assignment was as a Master-at-Arms at Naval Air Station Sigonella, Italy, from June 2003 to July 2006, and during this time he deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from August to November 2005. Petty Officer Douangdara next served as a Master-at-Arms at Submarine Base New London, Connecticut, from August 2006 to January 2008, followed by service as a Combat Assault Dog Handler with Naval Special Warfare Development Group at Dam Neck, Virginia, from January 2008 until he was killed in action with his Military Working Dog, Bart, aboard the CH-47 Chinook helicopter "Extortion 17" in Afghanistan on August 6, 2011. During this time he deployed to Afghanistan in 2008-2009, 2010, and 2011. John Douangdara was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

• Spc. Spencer C. Duncan, 21, of Olathe, Kansas. He was assigned to the 7th Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment (General Support Aviation Battalion), New Century, Kansas

Spencer Duncan was born on February 19, 1990, in Merriam, Kansas. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve on June 10, 2008, and went on active duty to begin basic training on August 28, 2008. Pvt Duncan completed basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, in November 2008, followed by Advanced Individual Training as a CH-47 Chinook helicopter repairer at Fort Eustis, Virginia, in April 2009. His first assignment was as a CH-47 helicopter repairer and door gunner with Company B and D, 7th Battalion of the 158th Aviation Regiment in New Century, Kansas, from April 2009 until he was killed in action aboard his CH-47 call sign Extortion 17 while deployed to Afghanistan on August 6, 2011. SPC Duncan was activated with his unit on May 9, 2011, and deployed to Afghanistan from May 2011 until his death. Spencer Duncan was buried at Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery on Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

• Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) John W. Faas, 31, of Minneapolis, Minnesota

John Faas was born on October 31, 1979, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on September 21, 1998, and went on active duty to begin basic training on September 14, 1999. After completing basic training at NTC Great Lakes, Illinois, in November 1999, he attended Information Systems Technician School at NTC Great Lakes from November 1999 to March 2000, followed by Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training at NAB Coronado from April 2000 to January 2001. Petty Officer Faas attended Jump School at Fort Benning, Georgia, in February and March 2001, and then completed SEAL Qualification Training at NAB Coronado in June 2001. His first assignment was with SEAL Team EIGHT at NAB Little Creek, Virginia, from July 2001 to April 2005, followed by service with Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGRU) at Dam Neck, Virginia, from April 2005 until he was killed in action when the CH-47 Chinook helicopter he was aboard was shot down in Afghanistan on August 6, 2011. While serving with SEAL Team EIGHT, Petty Officer Faas deployed to Stuttgart, Germany, with Naval Special Warfare Unit TWO from October 2002 to January 2003, to the Horn of Africa with Naval Special Warfare Unit THREE from April to July 2003, and to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom during 2004 and 2005. He also later deployed with DEVGRU to Afghanistan and to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom multiple times. He was buried at Fort Snelling National Cemetery · Minneapolis · Hennepin County · Minnesota

• Staff Sgt. Patrick D. Hamburger, 30, of Lincoln, Nebraska. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 135th Aviation Regiment (General Support Aviation Battalion), Grand Island, Nebraska

Pat Hamburger was born on Memorial Day, May 25, 1981, in Sioux City, Iowa, and grew up in Lincoln, Nebraska. He enlisted in the Nebraska Army National Guard on July 28, 1998, and went on active duty to begin basic training on June 8, 1999. Pvt Hamburger attended basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, from June to August 1999, and Advanced Individual Training as a Petroleum Supply Specialist at Fort Lee, Virginia, from August to October 1999. He again went on active duty on January 31, 2000, and attended Advanced Individual Training as an AH-1 Cobra helicopter repairer at Fort Eustis, Virginia, from February to July 2000. Sgt Hamburger served as an AH-1, AH-64 Apache, and OH-58 Kiowa helicopter repairer with Troop F, 1-167th Air Cavalry Squadron (later re-designated 1-124th Air Cavalry Squadron) at Lincoln, Nebraska, with the Nebraska Army National Guard from July 2000 to March 2004, followed by service as an OH-58 and CH-47 Chinook helicopter repairer and flight engineer with Troop D, 1-124th Air Cavalry Squadron at Lincoln, Nebraska, from March 2004 to April 2006. His next assignment was as a CH-47 Chinook repairer and flight engineer with Company B, 2-135th General Support Aviation Battalion (GSAB) at Grand Island, Nebraska, with the Nebraska Army National Guard from April 2006 to November 2007, then with Company D, 2-135th GSAB at Grand Island from November 2007 to January 2008, and back to Company B (later re-designated Company B, 2d Battalion, 135th Aviation Regiment) from January 2008 until he was killed in action aboard his CH-47 call sign Extortion 17 in Afghanistan on August 6, 2011. SSgt Hamburger went on active duty in May 2011, and deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in July 2011. Pat Hamburger was buried at the Wyuka Cemetery in Lincoln, Nebraska.

* Sergeant Hamburger was posthumously promoted to Staff Sergeant

• Staff Sgt. Andrew W. Harvell, 26, of Long Beach, California

Andy Harvell was born on September 26, 1984, in Long Beach, California. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force on November 12, 2002, and completed basic training at Lackland AFB, Texas, in January 2003. After completing all training for the Combat Control pipeline, SSgt Harvell served as a Combat Controller with the 21st Special Tactics Squadron of the 720th Special Tactics Group at Pope AFB, North Carolina, from January 2006 to May 2009, and during this time he deployed to Afghanistan in Support of Operation Enduring Freedom and to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. His next assignment was with the 24th Special Tactics Squadron of the 720th Special Tactics Group at Pope AFB from May 2009 until he was killed in action when the CH-47 Chinook helicopter he was aboard was shot down in Afghanistan on August 6, 2011. He was buried at the Los Angeles National Cemetery in Los Angeles, California.

• Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Kevin A. Houston, 35, of West Hyannisport, Massachusetts

Kevin Houston was born on September 20, 1975, in West Hyannisport, Massachusetts. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on January 18, 1995, and went on active duty to begin basic training on January 26, 1995. After completing basic training at NTC Great Lakes, Illinois, in April 1995, he attended Aviation Electrician's Mate training at NAS Lemoore, California, from May to June 1995. His first assignment was with VFA-195 aboard the aircraft carrier USS Independence (CV-62) home-ported at Yokosuka, Japan, from June 1995 to January 1996, followed by temporary duty at Personnel Support Detachment Treasure Island, California, from January to June 1996. Petty Officer Houston served with Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron TWO (HS-2) at San Diego, California, from July 1996 to July 1998, and then attended Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training at NAB Coronado, California, from July 1998 to February 1999. His next assignment was with SEAL Team FOUR at NAB Little Creek, Virginia, from May 1999 to December 2005, followed by service as Tactical Ground Mobility Weapons Lead Instructor with Naval Special Warfare Group TWO Training Detachment at NAB Little Creek from December 2005 to January 2008. Petty Officer Houston's final assignment was with Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGRU) at Dam Neck, Virginia, from January 2008 until he was killed in action when the CH-47 Chinook helicopter he was aboard was shot down in Afghanistan on August 6, 2011. While serving with SEAL Team FOUR he deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2005, and he later deployed with DEVGRU to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom multiple times. Kevin Houston was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

• Lieutenant Commander (SEAL) Jonas B. Kelsall, 32, of Shreveport, Louisiana

Jonas Kelsall was born on November 8, 1978, in Shreveport, Louisiana. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in September 1996, and graduated from basic training at NTC Great Lakes, Illinois, in December 1996. After completing A School training, Petty Officer Kelsall attended Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training at NAB Coronado, California, from February to August 1997. He then received an assignment to complete his bachelor's degree and attend Navy ROTC at the University of Texas from August 1997 until he was commissioned an Ensign in the U.S. Navy in May 2001. After completing additional training he served with SEAL Team SEVEN at NAB Coronado until May 2008. LCDR Kelsall's final assignment was with Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGRU) at Dam Neck, Virginia, from May 2008 until he was killed in action when the CH-47 Chinook helicopter he was aboard was shot down in Afghanistan on August 6, 2011. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

• Special Warfare Operator Master Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Louis J. Langlais, 44, of Santa Barbara, California

Lou Langlais was born on October 5, 1966, in Quebec, Canada, and grew up in Santa Barbara, California. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on June 11, 1986, and completed basic training at NTC San Diego, California, in September 1986. His first assignment was aboard the guided-missile frigate USS Wadsworth (FFG-9) from September 1986 to January 1989, followed by Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training at NAB Coronado, California, from February to October 1989. Petty Officer Langlais attended Boatswain's Mate training from October to November 1989, and then served with SEAL Team THREE at NAB Coronado from November 1989 to January 1997, during which time he deployed aboard the amphibious transport dock USS Denver (LPD-9) to Southwest Asia in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm from November 1990 to August 1991. His next assignment was with the U.S. Navy Parachute Team "The Leap Frogs" from January 1997 to February 2000, followed by service with the Naval Special Warfare Development Group at Dam Neck, Virginia, from March 2000 until he was killed in action when the CH-47 Chinook helicopter he was aboard was shot down in Afghanistan on August 6, 2011. During this time, Master Chief Langlais deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom multiple times. Lou Langlais was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

• Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Matthew D. Mason, 37, of Kansas City, Missouri

Matt Mason was born on March 26, 1974, in Kansas City, Missouri. After completing his bachelor's degree at Northwest Missouri State University in 1998, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy on May 20, 1999, and went on active duty to begin basic training on October 25, 1999. Mason completed basic training at NTC Great Lakes, Illinois, in December 1999, and then attended Information Systems Technician training at NTC Great Lakes from January to June 2000. Petty Officer Mason next attended Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training at NAB Coronado, California, from June 2000 to January 2001, followed by Jump School at Fort Benning, Georgia, in February and March 2001, and then SEAL Qualification Training from March to June 2001. His first assignment was with SEAL Team ONE at NAB Coronado from July 2001 to November 2004, and then with SEAL Team THREE at NAB Coronado from November 2004 to May 2006. His final assignment was with Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGRU) at Dam Neck Annex, Virginia, from June 2006 until he was killed in action when the CH-47 Chinook helicopter he was aboard was shot down in Afghanistan on August 6, 2011. While serving with SEAL Team One, Petty Officer Mason deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004, where he was badly wounded during combat operations in Fallujah. He also deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom multiple times. Matt Mason was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

• Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Stephen M. Mills, 35, of Fort Worth, Texas

Matt Mills was born on October 25, 1975, in Austin, Texas. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on September 12, 1996, and went on active duty to begin basic training on January 2, 1997. After completing basic training at NTC Great Lakes, Illinois, in March 1997, he attended Operations Specialist training at the Fleet Combat Training Center Atlantic at Dam Neck Annex, Virginia, from March to June 1997. His first assignment was as an operations specialist aboard the destroyer USS Kinkaid (DD-965) from June 1997 to June 2000, followed by Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL at NAB Coronado, California, from June 2000 to March 2001. Petty Officer Mills attended Jump School at Fort Benning, Georgia, in April and May 2001, and then SEAL Qualification Training from May to August 2001. His next assignment was with SEAL Team THREE at NAB Coronado from September 2001 to March 2005, and during this time he deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. His final assignment was with Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGRU) at Dam Neck Annex from March 2005 until he was killed in action when the CH-47 Chinook helicopter he was aboard was shot down in Afghanistan on August 6, 2011. During this time, Petty Officer Mills served as a Close Quarters Combat Instructor with Naval Special Warfare Group TWO Training Detachment from September 2005 to June 2006, he served with Tactical Development and Evaluation Squadron THREE with DEVGRU from August 2006 to January 2008, and he deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom multiple times. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

• Chief Warrant Officer Bryan J. Nichols, 31, of Hays, Kanas. He was assigned to the 7th Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment(General Support Aviation Battalion), New Century, Kansas

Bryan Nichols was born on October 16, 1979, in Hays, Kansas. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve on December 1, 1996, and went on active duty to begin basic training on December 16, 1996. Pvt Nichols completed basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, in March 1997, and Advanced Individual Training as a Medical Supply Specialist at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, in August 1998. He served with Detachment 2 of the 388th Medical Logistics Battalion at Hays, Kansas, from December 1996 to January 2006, and then attended Warrant Officer Candidate School from January 2, 2006, until he was appointed a Warrant Officer in the U.S. Army Reserve on March 1, 2006. WO Nichols attended Rotary-Wing Aviator training and CH-47 Chinook transition training from December 2006 to June 2008. He was assigned as a CH-47 pilot with Company B, 7th Battalion of the 158th Aviation Regiment at New Century, Kansas, in April 2006, until he was killed in action in Afghanistan on August 6, 2011. During this time, CW2 Nichols deployed with his unit to Qatar from February to August 2002, to Kuwait from March to May 2003, to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from May to July 2003, to Germany in July 2004 and again from October to November 2004, to Bosnia Herzegovina from July 2004 to February 2005, and to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom from May 2011 until his death on August 6. Bryan Nichols was buried at the Pleasantview Cemetery in Palco, Kansas.

• Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician Chief Petty Officer (Expeditionary Warfare Specialist/Freefall Parachutist/Diver) Nicholas H. Null, 30, of Washington, West Virginia

Nick Null was born on March 30, 1981, in Parkersburg, West Virginia. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on September 20, 2000, and completed basic training at NTC Great Lakes, Illinois, in November 2000. Null next attended Gunner's Mate A School at Great Lakes from December 2000 to May 2001, and then served with Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 6 at Panama City, Florida, from May 2001 to September 2003. During this time he participated in combat operations in Iraq during the opening phase of Operation Iraqi Freedom in March 2003. Petty Officer Null next attended Explosive Ordnance Disposal training from September 2003 to September 2004, followed by service with Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 2 at Virginia Beach, Virginia, from September 2004 to January 2009. During this time he again deployed to Iraq from January to May 2006, January to July 2007, and August to December 2008. He also deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan from February to July 2005, and January to June 2006, concurrently with one of his deployments to Iraq. His final assignment was with Naval Special Warfare Development Group at Dam Neck, Virginia, from January 2009 until he was killed in the crash of the CH-47 Chinook helicopter "Extortion 17" in Afghanistan on August 6, 2011. Nick Null was buried at Sunset Memory Gardens in Parkersburg, West Virginia.

• Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL) Jesse D. Pittman, 27, of Ukiah, California

Jesse Pittman was born on April 20, 1984, in Arcata, California. After working as a firefighter for the California Department of Forestry, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy on March 17, 2005, and went on active duty to begin basic training on August 17, 2005. He completed basic training at NTC Great Lakes, Illinois, in October 2005, and then attended the Defense Information School at Fort Meade, Maryland, from October 2005 to February 2006. Petty Officer Pittman next attended Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training at NAB Coronado, California, from March to September 2006, followed by Jump School at Fort Benning, Georgia, in October 2007, and finally Naval Special Warfare Advanced (SEAL Qualification) training from November 2006 to April 2007. His first assignment was with SEAL Team FIVE at NAB Coronado, from April 2007 until he was killed in action when the CH-47 Chinook helicopter he was aboard was shot down in Afghanistan on August 6, 2011. During this time, Petty Officer Pittman deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom multiple times. He also deployed to Yemen in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2010 and 2011. He was buried at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego, California.

• Special Warfare Operator Senior Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Thomas A. Ratzlaff, 34, of Green Forest, Arkansas

Thomas Ratzlaff was born on November 3, 1976, in Harrison, Arkansas. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on May 25, 1995, and completed basic training at NTC Great Lakes, Illinois, in July 1995. Ratzlaff next completed gunner's mate training at NTC Great Lakes from August 1995 to March 1996, and then served aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Kidd (DDG-993) from April 1996 to March 1998. Petty Officer Ratzlaff attended Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training at NAB Coronado, California, from June to December 1998 and then Jump School at Fort Benning, Georgia, in January 1999. He served with SEAL Team TWO at NAB Little Creek, Virginia, from February 1999 to April 2003, followed by service with Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGRU) at Dam Neck, Virginia, from April 2003 until he was killed in action when the CH-47 Chinook helicopter he was aboard was shot down in Afghanistan on August 6, 2011. SCPO Ratzlaff was buried at Arlington National Cemetery. While serving with SEAL Team TWO he deployed to Kosovo in 1999, and while serving with DEVGRU he deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom multiple times. During this time he also deployed to Iraq in 2007. Thomas Ratzlaff was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

• Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Robert J. Reeves, 32, of Shreveport, Louisiana

Rob Reeves was born on August 2, 1979, in Shreveport, Louisiana. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on June 3, 1998, and went on active duty to begin basic training on August 26, 1998. After completing basic training at NTC Great Lakes, Illinois, in November 1998, he completed additional training at the Fleet Combat Training Center, Atlantic, at Dam Neck, Virginia, from November 1998 to January 1999. Petty Officer Reeves next attended Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training at NAB Coronado, California, from February to December 1999, followed by Jump School at Fort Benning, Georgia, during January 2000. His first assignment was with SEAL Team FIVE at NAB Coronado from February 2000 to June 2001, and then with SEAL Team SEVEN at NAB Coronado from June 2001 to April 2004. Senior Chief Reeves then served with Naval Special Warfare Development Group at Dam Neck from April 2004 until he was killed in action when the CH-47 Chinook helicopter he was aboard was shot down in Afghanistan on August 6, 2011. While serving with SEAL Team SEVEN he deployed with his Team in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and later deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom multiple times. Per his wishes, Senior Chief Reeves was buried at sea. He has a cenotaph at Arlington National Cemetery.

• Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Heath M. Robinson, 34, of Detroit, Michigan

Heath Robinson was born on June 5, 1977, in Detroit, Michigan. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on November 30, 1995, and went on active duty to begin basic training on January 24, 1996. After completing basic training at NTC Great Lakes, Illinois, in March 1996, he completed additional training at the Fleet Combat Training Center, Atlantic, at Dam Neck, Virginia, from March to July 1996. Petty Officer Robinson next attended Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training at NAB Coronado, California, from July 1996 to April 1997, but did not complete the course. He served with Amphibious Group ONE on Okinawa, from June 1997 to May 1999, and was then given a second chance at SEAL training from June 1999 to January 2000, and Jump School at Fort Benning, Georgia, during January 2000. Petty Officer Robinson served with SEAL Team THREE at NAB Coronado from March 2000 to April 2002, and then with SEAL Team SEVEN at NAB Coronado from April 2002 to April 2004. His final assignment was with Naval Special Warfare Development Group at Dam Neck, Virginia, from April 2004 until he was killed in action when the CH-47 Chinook helicopter he was aboard was shot down in Afghanistan on August 6, 2011. Senior Chief Robinson deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom multiple times. He also deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom multiple times. Heath Robinson was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

• Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 2nd Class (SEAL) Nicholas P. Spehar, 24, of Saint Paul, Minnesota

Nick Spehar was born on October 19, 1986, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on August 25, 2006, and went on active duty to begin basic training on March 15, 2007. Spehar completed basic training at NTC Great Lakes, Illinois, in June 2007, and then attended Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training at NAB Coronado, California, from June 2007 to February 2008. He next attended Naval Special Warfare Advanced (SEAL Qualification) Training at NAB Coronado and at Kodiak, Alaska, from February to August 2008, followed by service with SEAL Team FIVE at NAB Coronado from September 2008 until he was killed in action when the CH-47 Chinook helicopter he was aboard was shot down in Afghanistan on August 6, 2011. During this time, Petty Officer Spehar deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom multiple times. He was buried at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

• Cryptologist Technician (Collection) Petty Officer 1st Class (Expeditionary Warfare Specialist) Michael J. Strange, 25, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Michael Strange was born on June 6, 1986, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on October 25, 2003, and went on active duty to begin basic training on September 15, 2004. Strange completed basic training at NTC Great Lakes, Illinois, in November 2004, and then attended Cryptologist Technician A School at the Center for Naval Cryptology, Corry Station, in Pensacola, Florida, from November 2004 to April 2005. His first assignment was as a cryptologist technician at Naval Security Group Activity Kunia, Hawaii, from May 2005 to May 2009, followed by service as an Information Operations Petty Officer with Naval Special Warfare Development Group at Dam Neck, Virginia, from May 2009 until he was killed in action when the CH-47 Chinook helicopter he was aboard was shot down in Afghanistan on August 6, 2011. Michael Strange was buried at Arlington National Cemetery. On July 24, 2013, Petty Officer First Class Michael J. Strange was posthumously awarded the National Intelligence Medal for Valor by the Director of National Intelligence, James R. Clapper.

• Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL/Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist) Jon T. Tumilson, 35, of Rockford, Iowa

JT Tumilson was born on July 1, 1976, in Osage, Iowa. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on August 19, 1994, went on active duty beginning July 17, 1995, and graduated from basic training at NTC Great Lakes, Illinois, in September 1995. Petty Officer Tumilson attended Operations Specialist training at NAATC Millington, Tennessee, and at Dam Neck, Virginia, from September 1995 to March 1996, and then served aboard the guided missile cruiser USS Port Royal (CG-73), home-ported out of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, from April 1996 to May 2001. He next attended Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training at NAB Coronado, California, from June 2001 to April 2002, followed by Jump School at Fort Benning, Georgia, from April to May 2002, and SEAL Qualification Training from May to October 2002. His next assignment was with SEAL Team ONE at NAB Coronado from October 2002 to July 2006, followed by service with Naval Special Warfare Group ONE at NAB Coronado, from July 2006 to March 2008. Petty Officer Tumilson served with SEAL Team THREE at NAB Coronado from March 2008 to August 2009, and then with Naval Special Warfare Development Group at Dam Neck from August 2009 until he was killed in action when the CH-47 Chinook helicopter he was aboard was shot down in Afghanistan on August 6, 2011. JT Tumilson was buried at Riverside Cemetery in Rockford, Iowa, and was posthumously promoted to Chief Petty Officer.

• Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL) Aaron C. Vaughn, 30, of Stuart, Florida

Aaron Vaughn was born on June 24, 1981, in Obion County, Tennessee. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on June 24, 2002, and went on active duty to begin basic training on November 25, 2002. Vaughn completed basic training at NTC Great Lakes, Illinois, in February 2003, and then trained at the Fleet Combat Training Center Atlantic at Dam Neck Annex, Virginia, from February to May 2003. He next attended Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training at NAB Coronado, California, from May 2003 to April 2004, followed by Jump School at Fort Benning, Georgia, in May 2004. Petty Officer Vaughn attended Naval Special Warfare Advanced Training at NAB Coronado and in Kodiak, Alaska, from June to November 2004, and then served with SEAL Team ONE at NAB Coronado from November 2004 to June 2008. His next assignment was as an Assaults Instructor with Naval Special Warfare Group ONE Training Detachment at NAB Coronado from June 2008 to October 2010, followed by service with Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGRU) at Dam Neck Annex from October 2010 until he was killed in action when the CH-47 Chinook helicopter he was aboard was shot down in Afghanistan on August 6, 2011. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery, and was posthumously promoted to Chief Petty Officer. Aaron and his wife Kimberly were married on May 3, 2008, and they had two children together; Reagan Carson Vaughn and Catherine Chamberlyn Vaughn. He was also survived by his parents Billy and Karen Vaughn, and his two sisters; Tara Baldwin and Ana Rivera.

• Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician Senior Chief Petty Officer (Expeditionary Warfare Specialist/Freefall Parachutist) Kraig M. Vickers 36, of Kokomo, Hawaii

Kraig Vickers was born on August 11, 1974, in Kailua, on Oahu, Hawaii. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on June 12, 1996, and went on active duty to begin basic training on November 19, 1996. Vickers completed basic training at NTC Great Lakes, Illinois, in January 1997, and then attended Photographers Mate A School at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, from January to June 1997. He then attended Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Dive School at Navy Dive and Salvage Training Center Panama City, Florida, from June to October 1997, followed by EOD Technician training at Eglin AFB, Florida, and Indian Head, Maryland, from October 1997 to September 1998. His first assignment was as an EOD Technician at EOD Mobile Unit 5 on Guam from November 1998 to July 2001, and then as an EOD Technician at EOD Mobile Unit 8 in Bahrain from August 2001 to August 2002. Petty Officer Vickers next served as an EOD Technician with EOD Mobile Unit 3 at Barbers Point, Hawaii, from August 2002 to February 2005, followed by service as an EOD Technician with Naval Special Warfare Development Group at Dam Neck, Virginia, from February 2005 until he was killed in action when the CH-47 Chinook helicopter "Extortion 17" that he was aboard was shot down in Afghanistan on August 6, 2011. During this time, Senior Chief Petty Officer Vickers deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011; and to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2005 and 2006. He was buried at the Valley Isle Memorial Park in Haiku, Hawaii

• Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL) Jason R. Workman, 32, of Blanding, Utah 

Jason Workman was born on August 12, 1978, in Montrose County, Colorado. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on November 19, 2002, and began active duty and started basic training at NTC Great Lakes, Illinois, on August 11, 2003. After graduating basic in October 2003, Workman attended Surface Combat Systems training from October 2003 to January 2004, followed by Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training at NAB Coronado from January to September 2004. Petty Officer Workman next attended Jump School at Fort Benning, Georgia, from September to October 2004, SEAL Qualification training at NAB Coronado from November 2004 to March 2005, and then Naval Special Warfare Cold Weather training at Kodiak, Alaska, from March to April 2005. His first assignment was with SEAL Team TWO at NAB Little Creek, Virginia, from April 2005 to September 2008, and then with the Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGRU) at Dam Neck, Virginia, from September 2008 until he was killed in action when the CH-47 Chinook helicopter he was aboard was shot down in Afghanistan on August 6, 2011. Chief Petty Officer Workman was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

• Tech. Sgt. Daniel L. Zerbe, 28, of York, Pennsylvania

Daniel Zerbe was born on June 27, 1983, in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force on August 21, 2001, and completed basic training at Lackland AFB, Texas, in October 2001. After completing the U.S. Air Force Pararescue training pipeline, Sgt Zerbe served as a Pararescueman with the 38th Rescue Squadron at Moody AFB, Georgia, from March 2003 to May 2006. He then served as a Pararescueman and Special Tactics Team Member with the 24th Special Tactics Squadron at Pope AFB, North Carolina, from May 2006 until he was killed in action when the CH-47 Chinook helicopter he was aboard was shot down in Afghanistan on August 6, 2011. During this time, TSgt Zerbe deployed multiple times to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, and to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Daniel Zerbe was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Seven Afghan National Army commandos and one Afghan civilian interpreter were also killed in the crash.

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