View Full Version : Helicopter crash
Last hard class
08-06-2011, 03:49
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44043847/ns/world_news-south_and_central_asia/
Hope the info is wrong.
LHC
MiTTMedic
08-06-2011, 04:39
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5g8zwkdDgoNLqU-Cf3hIEieX0FusQ?docId=CNG.51218efcd99809188fe255a96 02fa847.631
Another account.
Just heard it on the radio here in Germany. They're reporting one Chinook down. 31 American SOF dead, along with 7 Afghan soldiers.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/afghanistan/2011-08-06-nato-helicopter-crash_n.htm
(From USA Today)
Rest in eternal peace, Heros. God is with you all.
Saturation
08-06-2011, 06:30
Prayers to their families and fellow soldiers.
Blessings on their souls and gratitude for their sacrifice.
So difficult to hear of any but 31? Profound sadness.
Rest-In-Peace.
Your bravery, courage and sacrifice will never be forgotten.
What a tragedy.
Holly
Ghost Medic
08-06-2011, 08:18
My prayers to every QP in Afghanistan and their families back at home.
God Bless you all.
For God's sake, help these mens families through this tough time. I hope this is wrong, and it was only one ODA. Were talking half of a batallion of SF troops...this is a dark, dark day. These guys were the door kickers day in day out in Wardak. Have a moment of silence for your brothers.
RIP Nightstalkers and QP's.
Rest in peace gentlemen.
..their courage and sacrifice will remain in our hearts marked forever by this tragic day. May God be with their families and friends.
Rest In Peace Gentlemen
Their families will be in my prayers
ApacheIP
08-06-2011, 08:53
ABC news reporting 25 SEALS killed...
http://abcnews.go.com/
mark46th
08-06-2011, 08:55
Thoughts and prayers.
kcphoenix
08-06-2011, 09:14
Such a devastating loss, my heart aches for each and every special operator lost, their family members and each of you, their brothers. You will all be kept in my thoughts and prayers.
RIP Heroes, your service and sacrifices will never be forgotten. We will do everything we can to help watch over your families. :(
Prayers for all. OMG, how tragic.
mojaveman
08-06-2011, 09:20
Ut fortis proeliator XXXI
Sileo in pracis +
Vos mos non effluo...
kcphoenix
08-06-2011, 09:31
Initial reports indicate up to 25 Navy SEALs were on the aircraft at the time.
It was also carrying seven Afghan Special Forces troops, one interpreter, five member helicopter crew and one dog.
such a sad day :(
My heart goes out to the friends and families of those heroes, and the entire Special Forces community. May God get you through.
Team Sergeant
08-06-2011, 09:47
My heart goes out to the friends and families of those heroes, and the entire Special Forces community. May God get you through.
We are not going to confirm or deny any media stories.
It's a sad day for the United States military.
BoyScout
08-06-2011, 09:50
May they rest in peace. Prayers out.
Holyfire23
08-06-2011, 09:55
May these warriors rest in peace.
Intel Cop
08-06-2011, 10:09
RIP. Horrible news to wake up to.
Rest in peace warriors. Prayers for the family and friends of these brave men.
Red Flag 1
08-06-2011, 11:04
Rest In God's Peace Heros.
Blue skies, gentle breeze, sleep in peaceful rest Warriors.
Tatonka316
08-06-2011, 11:35
Rest in Peace Warriors. Thank you for your service and your sacrifice. You will ALWAYS be missed and NEVER forgotten.
molon labe
kcphoenix
08-06-2011, 11:43
http://www.foxnews.com/world/2011/08/06/afghan-president-31-americans-killed-in-helicopter-crash/?test=latestnews
Fox News reporting the men were all from SEAL Team 6. Still a dark day for the US. :(
Very sad news...may they all Rest in Peace. My prayers are with the families and Brothers.
TrapLine
08-06-2011, 12:18
Rest in peace warriors. Prayers out for the families and brothers. A very sad day this is.
R.I.P.
May their sacrifice not be forgotten.
RIP Warriors. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your families. God Bless.
Golf1echo
08-06-2011, 15:27
It is inspiring to know this country has men such as these, willing to go into harms way for us. Words do not convey the sorrow we feel for their loss nor the sympathy we have for their families. Great blessings, honor and thanks to them and those who have given all. May they know we will do what we can for their's...
All gave some, Some gave All.
Sad day! Rest in Peace, Warriors. I thank you for your service and sacrifice -- you will not be forgotten. Prayers out to your family, teammates, and friends.
Praetorian
08-06-2011, 16:37
Extremely saddening news.
Infantry44
08-06-2011, 18:23
RIP, Warriors.
Prayers sent for their families & loved ones.
incarcerated
08-06-2011, 19:00
http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2011/08/38_coalition_afghan.php
....If today's crash is confirmed to be a Taliban shoot down, it would be the second such incident in two weeks. On July 25, the Taliban shot down a Chinook with rocket-propelled grenades, or RPGs, just one hundred yards outside of an Afghan Army base in the Pech Valley in Kunar province. No ISAF and Afghan troops were killed in the crash, however....
The Reaper
08-06-2011, 19:45
RIP, warriors.
The feasting halls are full in Valhalla tonight.
Tough losing that many guys all at once from such a small unit.
Thank you for your service, and your sacrifice.
You will not be forgotten.
TR
RIP Warriors. Prayers out. May your loss be not for naught and may G-D avenge your blood.
logisticsclerk
08-06-2011, 20:39
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
Rest in peace, brothers
Prayers out to the men, their families and friends.
Rest in peace Warriors. Prayers out.
What a tragedy.
Rest-In-Peace.
Blue skies and soft landings for all of you. You will be missed.
Your bravery, courage and sacrifice will never be forgotten.
R.I.P warriors. Prayers for family.
cetheridge
08-06-2011, 23:24
Rest-In-Peace, Warriors....you have left this world too soon.
Thank you for your service and sacrifice. May God hold you in the hollow of His hand.
Prayers and condolences for their families.
CA_TacMedic
08-07-2011, 02:20
RIP Warriors. You and your families will forever be in my thoughts and prayers.
"It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived." General George Patton
TOMAHAWK9521
08-07-2011, 04:36
Rest In Peace, Warriors.
TOMAHAWK9521
08-07-2011, 04:42
Rest In Peace, Warriors.
Some are reporting three Air Force Combat Controllers were also on board.
R.I.P.
Rest In Peace and Thank You
Cake_14N
08-07-2011, 10:50
I put my uniform on with just a bit more emotion this weekend.
Drill weekend never seems to come at a good time, there is always something I would rather do with my family. But as I pulled on my boots, I thought of those 31 Heroes that gave everything so we can be free. I thought that they will never get the chance to hold a loved one, to see children graduate and leave to form families of their own. I took an extra minute to look into the bedrooms of my children and to just look at their sleeping faces before I stepped out of the house to go off to drill.
I walked to my office just a little taller, with a little bit more pride knowing that I wear a uniform with thousands and thousands of Brothers and Sisters that will step up to the challenges they are faced with and give everything they have.
These 31 individuals, no matter if they are Army, Air Force, Navy, or Marine will rest in peace knowing they have performed their mission, they have done their duty with honor, courage, and integrity. They will always be remembered in the hearts of their comrades in arms.
Rest in Peace.
Dennis
Warrior pen
08-07-2011, 12:45
Rest in peace, Warriors .... :(
Trip_Wire (RIP)
08-07-2011, 14:02
RIP Warriors.
kcphoenix
08-07-2011, 17:35
A Letter Down From Heaven
I'm living up in Heaven now; this soldier made it home,
The scenery here is beautiful and I am not alone.
...For I am now surrounded by the angels of the Lord,
And living in a mansion that the wealthy can't afford.
But just before I made it in, I walked through gates of pearl,
God's messengers had welcomed me into my brand new world.
And as I walked in through the gates, they greeted me by name,
They said, "You are a soldier and the Lord is glad you came".
"He saw you on the battlefield, the bloodshed and the wounds",
"And God said you were coming so we then prepared more room".
You must know I was overwhelmed at what the angels said,
For there I was in Heaven and my earthly body dead.
But mourn for me no more because I'm happy as can be,
I died to give you freedom; now the Lord has made me free.
And I do not regret the day I bled and died for you,
For I'm a U. S. Soldier; to this country I am true.
Much pain that I endured was long forgotten at the gate,
I suffered not in vain for you and the United States.
The ones who went before me and the ones who'll go one day,
Will not remember battle scars when they have seen God's face.
Our country's worth the fighting and was surely worth my death,
For we were called America to stand out from the rest.
Don't take this life for granted for my death has guaranteed,
That you can live as many can't, to live as you believe.
Support the ones I left behind; they'll fight at the command,
For next to God, they're your best friend, to lend a helping hand.
But really they're not lending, for in all they do they give,
And take attacks and shed their blood, so you, my friend, may live.
So if you're not a soldier, keep a soldier in your prayers,
A soldier needs to know that you're supporting them out there.
For dusty are the battlefields and hot is blazing sun,
But great is your reward when every soldier's race is run.
So be content and know that I am walking streets of gold,
And listening to the angels sing, and safe within God's fold.
My friend, this place is wonderful, a place I can't describe,
And I'll be waiting here for you the day that you arrive.
Now don't forget my soldier friends, as they must carry on,
Until the day their work is done and God has called them home.
I'm glad that I am with the Lord, for He makes life worth living,
Just know a soldier sent to you a letter down from Heaven.
"From the heart of a U. S. Soldier who died for our country"
A Dedication to U. S. Soldier Nick Zangara,
who lost his life in Iraq on July 24, 2004
Utah Bob
08-07-2011, 17:59
The news media will not rest until they have interviewed the families of every one of the casualties.
This sickens me.
(fm Utah Bob) The news media will not rest until they have interviewed the families of every one of the casualties.
This sickens me.
As it should all Americans, sir. MSM runs a gallery of shame. There is no honor in it. None.
I can't even watch the news when they are "reporting" on this horrific situation.
It is a national tragedy IMNSHO and there should be some decorum at the least. Leave the families and friends to grieve their tremendous losses.
Rest in peace
Participating in a fundraiser for Special Operations Warrior Foundation, not enough but a little I can to do help.
TheSiatonist
08-07-2011, 22:12
Rest easy, Warriors..
Barbarian
08-08-2011, 06:02
Thank you, warriors.
MiTTMedic
08-08-2011, 06:12
QUOTE: (fm Utah Bob) The news media will not rest until they have interviewed the families of every one of the casualties.
This sickens me.
Yes, and now I see the MSM goons are second guessing the decision-making process of the operation. My head, my heart, and my stomach, hurts.
The news media will not rest until they have interviewed the families of every one of the casualties.
This sickens me.
MOO - but it's the job of the media to report news and, in such instances as this, to try and talk with people who can allow Americans to learn a bit about exactly what type of citizens volunteer to serve and risk their lives for our national ideals.
It's up to the families to allow themselves to be interviewed or not - their call, not ours.
However, YMMV - and so it goes...
Richard :munchin
colmurph
08-08-2011, 06:48
http://www.foxnews.com/world/2011/08/06/afghan-president-31-americans-killed-in-helicopter-crash/?test=latestnews
Fox News reporting the men were all from SEAL Team 6. Still a dark day for the US. :(
Fox News has it wrong. There is no ST-6, it went away around 1990 . We shouldn't be using unit identifiers on these boards as everybody reads them (including the Taliban).
My son is going to be down at Virginia Beach for the next 3 weeks or so to minister to the families of the fallen. His job is going to suck and I just hope God gives him the strength to carry on. He used to be Deputy Command Chaplain for Special Forces Command but went "behind the wire" after he got promoted.
Utah Bob
08-08-2011, 08:41
MOO - but it's the job of the media to report news and, in such instances as this, to try and talk with people who can allow Americans to learn a bit about exactly what type of citizens volunteer to serve and risk their lives for our national ideals.
It's up to the families to allow themselves to be interviewed or not - their call, not ours.
However, YMMV - and so it goes...
Richard :munchin
I think the immediacy of it is what bothers me. Give the families time to grieve. They have just been notified, are probably in shock and are easy targets right now.
In my opinion, it's about ratings with the media, not journalism. I can't see Cronkite doing it.
ObliqueApproach
08-08-2011, 09:28
Fox News has it wrong. There is no ST-6, it went away around 1990 . We shouldn't be using unit identifiers on these boards as everybody reads them (including the Taliban).
"My son is going to be down at Virginia Beach for the next 3 weeks or so to minister to the families of the fallen. His job is going to suck and I just hope God gives him the strength to carry on. He used to be Deputy Command Chaplain for Special Forces Command but went "behind the wire" after he got promoted.
Give our best to him and our understanding that he is doing one of the most important jobs there is and we all appreciate his service!
kcphoenix
08-08-2011, 10:34
Fox News has it wrong. There is no ST-6, it went away around 1990 . We shouldn't be using unit identifiers on these boards as everybody reads them (including the Taliban).
My son is going to be down at Virginia Beach for the next 3 weeks or so to minister to the families of the fallen. His job is going to suck and I just hope God gives him the strength to carry on. He used to be Deputy Command Chaplain for Special Forces Command but went "behind the wire" after he got promoted.
Understood Sir, I will ensure to refrain from posting any such identifiers in the future. My heart and support is with your son and the families touched by this tragedy. Please let your son know he too is in our prayers for the selfless support he will be providing these Heroes loved ones.
Such a terrible loss to our great country, RIP warriors. Prayers out for all the families involved.
This is a tough time for many people. I can't even begin to write RIP or Rest Easy as they don't justify the thousands of words I would need to describe the past couple of days.
I just want to thank these brave men for giving their lives to protect my Ranger brothers.
On a side note. I think we should take a step out of the box and actually think about this media exposure with a clear head. The media should not hound the families.. but I do think the families should speak to the media. It is beyond important to show our nation who these people were. If you haven't noticed... there are not that many role models/heroes for our youth to look up to nowadays. I know none of us want to see OPSEC/PERSEC being jeapordized by the recent spotlight over JSOC and its units. And I think we can give the nation some real heroes for a change instead of greedy sports players or hollywood pariahs. you can go ahead and say that "the nation already considers the SEALs, and SF, and Rangers heroes" .... but in reality, all they see is a trident or a uniform patch. At least now there are real faces to these men.
Last I checked not too much patriotism going around the youth these days.
Or we can keep pretending that ST6 and Delta don't exist.
Utah Bob
08-08-2011, 16:42
Last I checked not too much patriotism going around the youth these days.
I believe most of the enlistees are pretty youthful.
Bordercop
08-09-2011, 06:00
Here are photos and short bios of these brave men.
Link: http://www.wjla.com/pictures/2011/08/photos-of-the-fallen-30-americans-shot-down-in-afghanistan-/aaron-carson-vaughn-6217-451.html
Prayers out. RIP Warriors.
I believe most of the enlistees are pretty youthful.
What about the other 95% of America's youth who hasn't enlisted?
1stindoor
08-09-2011, 09:11
What about the other 95% of America's youth who hasn't enlisted?
There's some truth to that to be sure...but there's also a lot that have tried to enlist and couldn't...a lot that had physical limitations...paying the consequences of poor judgement in the past, etc.
Right now I'm more concerned about how we're going to replace those Service Members when we have a Congress that thinks we are grossly overpaid and over compensated. Hard to get someone to commit to something bigger than themselves when they can read about a tragedy in Afghanistan on page one...and a complete overhaul of benefits (already earned in good faith) on page three.
Hey, sorry your son/daughter/husband, etc was killed...but it's really unfair that the military gets a retirement plan.
(fm Richard) MOO - but it's the job of the media to report news and, in such instances as this, to try and talk with people who can allow Americans to learn a bit about exactly what type of citizens volunteer to serve and risk their lives for our national ideals.
It's up to the families to allow themselves to be interviewed or not - their call, not ours.
IMHO, "reporting" and "creating a spin" are two different sluts in the same doorway. MSM motives suck. Least what I see and how it's presented have convinced me. When a family is in tears and someone asks them, "What kind of a person was your husband/brother-in-arms/father/friend?" Most aren't going to reply, "I'd rather not talk about it right now." They're going to express their grief.
The MSM race to the scene of any accident so they can get a close up shot of the wreck and hopefully a by-line, and then they're gone.
"By their fruits shall you know them."
They ought to leaave decent people alone. How hard is that, anyway? IMO anyway.
Team Sergeant
08-09-2011, 09:37
This is a tough time for many people. I can't even begin to write RIP or Rest Easy as they don't justify the thousands of words I would need to describe the past couple of days.
I just want to thank these brave men for giving their lives to protect my Ranger brothers.
On a side note. I think we should take a step out of the box and actually think about this media exposure with a clear head. The media should not hound the families.. but I do think the families should speak to the media. It is beyond important to show our nation who these people were. If you haven't noticed... there are not that many role models/heroes for our youth to look up to nowadays. I know none of us want to see OPSEC/PERSEC being jeapordized by the recent spotlight over JSOC and its units. And I think we can give the nation some real heroes for a change instead of greedy sports players or hollywood pariahs. you can go ahead and say that "the nation already considers the SEALs, and SF, and Rangers heroes" .... but in reality, all they see is a trident or a uniform patch. At least now there are real faces to these men.
Last I checked not too much patriotism going around the youth these days.
Or we can keep pretending that ST6 and Delta don't exist.
We (Special Forces) don't discuss SMU's, period. If you wish to remain on this board I would suggest you read more and post less.
Utah Bob
08-09-2011, 11:19
What about the other 95% of America's youth who hasn't enlisted?
What about em? Are you willing to stamp them as unpatriotic because they haven't enlisted?
Older generations never seem to have any confidence in younger ones. It has always been thus. I find that amusing.
greenberetTFS
08-09-2011, 12:47
What about em? Are you willing to stamp them as unpatriotic because they haven't enlisted?
Older generations never seem to have any confidence in younger ones. It has always been thus. I find that amusing.
UB is completely on target............;) :D
Big Teddy :munchin
Here are photos and short bios of these brave men.
Link: http://www.wjla.com/pictures/2011/08/photos-of-the-fallen-30-americans-shot-down-in-afghanistan-/aaron-carson-vaughn-6217-451.html
Prayers out. RIP Warriors.
http://www.siouxcityjournal.com/news/local/article_95606d4e-0365-537f-ab50-b9df05918d0f.html?mode=story
I knew John and I had the luck to do work with him at the time when he was stationed at nassig. He was one of our dog handlers before he joined the special warfare community. I can't remember if he was still a second class at the time. He PCSd in '06. I liked him personally and professionally. He was a helluva good guy.
Needless to say that I didn't know he'd become a seal.
It hurts even more to see someone you used to know has fallen. :(:(
Golf1echo
08-10-2011, 08:31
Was glad to see this article http://news.yahoo.com/u-says-kills-taliban-shot-down-chopper-132509069.html
http://www.foxnews.com/world/2011/08/06/afghan-president-31-americans-killed-in-helicopter-crash/?test=latestnews
Fox News reporting the men were all from SEAL Team . Still a dark day for the US. :(
What's this supposed to mean? It's still a dark day even tho they were mostly Navy? Reads pretty jacked up to me....
What kind of young American chooses to serve our nation? Those like Jesse Pittman from Willits in NorCal.
Richard :munchin
Navy SEAL From Willits Killed In Afghanistan Crash
Ukiah Daily Journal, 9 Aug 2011
A former firefighter from Willits was among the 30 American troops who died when their helicopter was shot down by insurgents in Afghanistan early Saturday, according to Cal Fire Battalion Chief Norm Brown, a spokesman for the young man's family.
Jesse Pittman was reportedly among the 25 U.S. Navy SEALs aboard the helicopter when it went down. The crash killed 30 American military service members, seven Afghan commandos and an interpreter, according to the U.S. Department of Defense, a record number of casualties in one day for the conflict's nearly 10-year span.
The SEALs who died in the crash were not part of the team that killed al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden, but they belonged to the same unit, according to the Associated Press.
The Pentagon hadn't released the names of any of the military personnel aboard the helicopter, but friends and family confirmed some of the names in early reports.
Pittman graduated from Willits High School in 2002 and worked in 2003 and 2004 as a seasonal firefighter with Cal Fire before joining the Navy. His father, Terry Pittman, is a heavy equipment operator with Cal Fire.
Terry Pittman and his wife, Ida, were reportedly out of state Monday and Tuesday to claim their son's remains at a military ceremony.
"He could barely speak," Brown said of his Tuesday phone conversation with Terry Pittman, who he supervises.
Chris Wilkes, who co-owned an automotive repair shop in Willits, said Jesse did odd jobs at the shop during his high school years to learn the trade. He said Jesse, his older brother and his father shared an interest in diesel performance and hot rods.
"(Jesse) was fun to have around," Wilkes said, describing him as friendly, smart, "super respectful" and a hard worker.
Jesse continued to visit the automotive repair shop after graduating from high school while he worked for Cal Fire, according to Wilkes, and had told Wilkes he planned to leave firefighting to become a Navy SEAL.
Wilkes said he advised Jesse against it because he had a good career and "the odds are next to none" that he would have passed the specialized training.
"I was just goofing around with him; I told him he watched too much TV. And he went out and did it," Wilkes said. "We were extremely proud of him."
Wilkes described a kind of awe at realizing that all the time they had spent with Jesse "an elite person" had been among them.
"He was just a good man," Wilkes said. "He was amazing."
Cal Fire Capt. Ken Azevedo supervised Jesse during the two summers he spent as a seasonal firefighter at Cal Fire's Leggett station.
"He was an inspiration to the whole crew when it came to physical fitness, endurance and morale," Azevedo said. "He was a great person and a great firefighter, and he strived to get everybody up to his own level."
Jesse made it known he wanted to be a Navy SEAL during his second summer with Cal Fire, according to Azevedo, and literally went "the extra lap" to get himself physically ready, even training with a former SEAL during his off-hours.
"He boosted the morale of the entire crew," he said. "The guys were in the best physical shape that year because of him."
Azevedo remembers Jesse's sense of humor and his need for excitement, saying, "I think firefighting was not enough excitement for him.
"He's going to be missed by everybody. We were so proud of him when he got on as a SEAL, and this is devastating for the guys," Azevedo said.
http://www.ukiahdailyjournal.com/rss/ci_18651520?source=rss
adidasboy1186
08-10-2011, 19:01
My heart is in pain for every fallen brother.. RIP Warriors..
I got this email from a friend. She has a good friend who was the aircraft commander on the C-17 that brought home those lost in the Chinook. This is what the pilot had to say.
Subject: Thoughts on a recent day at work
I had an unforgettable day yesterday and wanted to share it with you. I know we've all sat around and discussed in detail why we do what we do and if we will be willing to continue to do what we do day in and day out regardless of deployments, retirement decisions, job opportunities, missed birthdays, missed holidays, etc. This is something I wanted to share and you were the people that came to mind. It's another reason I continue to serve.I guess because many others do and sacrifice a lot more, some even their lives.
My crew was alerted yesterday to find that our mission had changed. We were now a backup to a high priority mission originating from Afghanistan. When I asked where we would be going the answer was "back to the states". Later I learned our destination was Dover.
I was the aircraft commander for one of two C-17s that transferred the Chinook helicopter crash soldiers back home. The crew that started this mission in Afghanistan would end up running out of crew duty day and need another crew to continue the soldier's journey. We just happened to be available. After being alerted and going through our normal sequence, I found myself at the foot of the aircraft steps.
Before I took my first step upward I noticed a transfer case close to the door. I had only seen one in pictures. The American Flag was tucked smartly, folded and secured on top. I paused at the bottom of the stairs, took a deep breath and continued up with my mind and eyes focusing on making it to the next ladder leading to the cockpit. However, as I entered, I couldn't help but notice the remaining nineteen transfer cases in the cargo compartment. The entire cargo compartment was filled with identical transfer cases with American Flags. I made my way up to the cockpit and
received a briefing from the previous aircraft commander. After the briefing we exchanged a handshake and the other pilot was on his way.
I felt a need to ensure the crew focused on their normal duties. I instructed the other two pilots to began the preflight. I went back down into the cargo compartment to see what needed to be done and find the paperwork I needed to sign. The cargo compartment was now filled with numerous people from the mortuary affairs squadron. They were busy adjusting, resetting and overall preparing the cases for their continued flight. Before they began I asked who was in charge because I knew there was paperwork I needed to sign. I finally found a Staff Sergeant who was working an issue with the paperwork. After it was complete, he brought it up to the cockpit for me to review and sign.
There are moments in life I will never forget. For me, it's the days my son and daughter were born. Another occurred five months ago when I had to deliver the unthinkable news to a mother that her son was killed in Afghanistan and although I didn't anticipate another day like that this soon, yesterday was another. I looked at the paperwork I was signing and realized the magnitude of the day. I glanced over the paperwork and signed. In a way, I felt I had taken ownership of these fallen soldiers. It was now my duty to ensure they make it home.
After confirming the preflight was complete and the aircraft was fueled, I went outside to start my walk-around. As I walked down the steps, a bus had parked in front of the aircraft and unloaded eleven passengers. The passengers were fellow SEAL team members who were escorting the fallen back to the states. I stood at the front of the aircraft and watched them board. Every one of them walked off the bus with focus in their eyes and determination in their steps; just as I imagine they do when they go on a mission. I made eye contact with the lead SEAL, nodded my head in respect and he nodded back.
Finishing my walk-around, I stopped at the bottom of the stairs. I looked up into the cargo compartment; two American Flags and one SEAL Team Six flag hung from the top of the cargo compartment. Three of twenty transfer cases visible; one with an American Flag and two with Afghan flags. I looked up at my aircraft and saw, "United States Air Force" painted on the side and I stood trying to take it all in. I wanted to make certain that I never forget these images. That I never forget the faces of the SEALS, the smell of the cargo compartment or the sun slowly rising over the landscape. It's important that I don't forget. We need to honor the dead, honor the sacrifice of the fallen.
I understand my role in getting these fallen soldiers home is insignificant compared to the lives they lived and the things they did for our country. Most of it we will never know. All I know is every American should see what I've seen. Every American should see the bus loads of families as they exit the freeway headed for Dover AFB to reunite with their fallen or witness the amount of time, effort, people and equipment that go into ensuring our fallen have a honorable return.
The very next day we took the same aircraft back overseas. We had leveled the aircraft at our cruise altitude and I walked down to the cargo compartment. No more American Flags hung from the ceiling. All the transfer cases were gone.
Instead I watched a father lay with his son, cradled on his chest, on the same spot that only yesterday held a fallen soldier. I watched a young girl, clutching a teddy bear, sleeping quietly where the fallen had laid. I realized so many Americans have no idea where the fallen lay.
I'm honored to be one that does.
A powerful story. Thank you.
Thank you afchic.
Night falls, but day dawns to replace it.
Grief comes, but time will ease the pain.
Life ends, but death cannot erase it.
In memory, they will always remain.
Eleven days after Chief Warrant Officer David Carter died in Afghanistan, his National Guard comrades still struggled to believe he was gone.
And then, about 1 p.m. Wednesday, a military transport team arrived at Buckley Air Force Base in Aurora. A lift lowered the pilot's casket to the ground, and six men in full dress uniform carried it to a waiting hearse.
"Seeing the flag-draped coffin, the glimpse of the aircraft, that's when it hits you that it's real," said Col. Chris Petty, who worked with Carter and called him a friend.
More, .... http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_18704525
Rest easy Chief, you will not be forgotten.
In wet dog's link, it says:
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to a college fund for the Carter children. Donations marked "Dave Carter Memorial Fund" can be dropped off at any FirstBank.
I saw in my inbox last week that the SOWF has already announced they are going to cover the kids of all of the troops lost in that crash:
http://www.specialops.org/news/70454/SOWF-To-Offer-Scholarships-to-Children-of-All-U.S.-Troops-Lost-in-CH-47-Crash-in-Afghanistan-.htm
I'm not sure how the SOWF does its thing, but hopefully they will be reaching out to the family.
I wonder if the family knows that.
Guntry Kong
08-21-2011, 01:52
I know not many people are fans of crossfit but they are putting together an event to honor these men. Here is the link to the website http://31heroes.com/
all procedes collected will be given to the families of the fallen. RIP Brothers.
Just read this on CNN.com and thought I would post. What a wonderful foundation!!!
Last August, a 10-year-old boy from Missouri wrote an iReport to CNN. Braydon Nichols asked that the world not forget his father, an Army officer who died when the helicopter he and other soldiers were in was downed in Afghanistan.The grade-schooler's iReport sparked a massive outpouring of love, encouragement and empathy. Thousands of people posted comments to the boy. Nearly 230 iReports were dedicated to him.No one would forget Army Chief Warrant Officer Bryan Nichols, everyone pledged.
And over the past six months, CNN's audience has not forgotten Braydon. There has been no let-up in comments online asking how the boy is doing and wishing him well. This week, "Dennis" wrote that he keeps on his computer a picture that CNN published of Braydon and his father wearing matching military uniforms. "Take care buddy, be strong ..."In February, "Kenny" wrote, "For some reason you popped in mind tonight. I hope you are doing well, hope the school year is going good. Take care little bud." (Read more of the original iReport)
Those notes mean a lot to Braydon, his uncle Monte Nichols said. "We've had people from across the world reach out to us. It's been incredible for the whole family to know that people do care," Nichols told CNN this week. "Braydon is doing really well in school. I think he's making his way as best as any kid could considering the circumstances." Braydon is excited about his summer vacation plans. A generous person in Hershey, Pennsylvania, is paying for the boy and his mother Jessica Nichols to fly to the city, tour a chocolate factory and have a fun weekend.
Still, Braydon has good and bad days. This month is going to be tough for the family because Bryan Nichols was due home from deployment in March.
Last year, weeks before that horrible August morning that she had to tell her son that his father was gone, Jessica Nichols recalled how Braydon loved to fantasize giddily about how he and his dad were going camping when he finished fighting bad guys. The self-assured and computer savvy boy was a miniature Bryan Nichols. Their short, spiky blonde hair was styled the same. They both loved to quiz each other with random trivia. The kid adored his dad.
"Bryan is with us all the time, every day his memory is alive for us. It's hard," Monte Nichols said. "But it's just as hard for all the families and the kids who lost their parents on that helicopter. Those children, just like Braydon, need to be taken care of."
It turns out, they are. After CNN's story appeared, and donations poured in to a college trust fund for Braydon, another group of soldiers and retired military members went to work to try to figure out what they could do. There were 32 children who lost a parent in the Chinook tragedy, and two of the wives of the men on board were pregnant, said retired Air Force Maj. Steve McLeary, the executive director of the Special Operations Warrior Foundation. The Tampa, Florida-based organization has been providing scholarships and assistance to kids and families of special operations personnel since 1980. Read more about the Foundation and what it provides
Most of those on the Chinook were special operations. But five families who lost loved ones on the helicopter were Army and not in Special Operations, McLeary said. "We saw the CNN story and within 15 minutes we were on a call with board members who all agreed that every child who lost a parent on that helicopter would have their college expenses covered by us, whether their parents were special operations or not," McLeary said. (Tributes to the Chinook crash victims) The foundation first sent all five of the Army families money -- about $10,000 each -- to cover expenses of traveling to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware to attend funerals, and to cover other expenses related to the tragedy. The foundation, which is funded by individual and corporate donations, worked with other charities to help pay for hotels for relatives who wanted to attend memorials.
The Special Operations Warrior Foundation is covering all college tuition and room and board expenses for those children, too, McLeary said. "We don't just give money, we develop relationships with these kids from the start," McLeary said. "We want to make sure they know that this is something their parent would have wanted for them." The organization's trained counselors work with each child in its program, checking in with them shortly after a death to offer professional counseling and anything else the family needs. The foundation stays in touch with children by sending birthday and holiday cards. The Special Operations Warrior Foundation reaches out to kids throughout middle school, calling them, asking how they're doing and if they need anything. A foundation representative takes a more active role when the kid reaches high school by helping them prepare and pick a college.
The Special Operations Warrior Foundation has over 900 kids in their program, McLeary said. More than 203 have graduated from college, and the organization is paying for 123 kids currently in college. Knowing all that is a comfort to the Nichols family. If Braydon's first wish was that people never forget his dad, Monte Nichols said, his second is that no one forgets kids like him.
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It's been a tough year. RIP warriors. An excellent piece on one of warriors lost on "Extortion 17" by another warrior who had known him: http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2012/08/in_memoriam_the_31_heroes_of_extortion_17.html
Rest in peace warriors. One year later, you are certainly not forgotten. May your legacies live on through your families, friends, brothers in arms, and the citizens of a grateful nation...
Salute to the Bravest of the Brave.
They may be gone but their memories live on.