Extortion 17
Poetrooper writes to remind us that today marks five years since the Boeing CH-47 Chinook, call sign Extortion 17, was shot down in Wardak province, west of Kabul, Afghanistan with all hands; 25 American special operations personnel, five United States Army National Guard and Army Reserve crewmen, seven Afghan commandos, one Afghan interpreter and a US working dog named “Bart”. They were on their way to reinforce a group of Army Rangers who stepped in some shit while they were looking for a senior Taliban commander, Qari Tahir.
SGT Alexander J. Bennett
SPC Spencer Duncan
CWO Bryan J. Nichols
CWO David R. Carter
SSG Patrick D. Hamburger
TSgt John W. Brown
SSgt Andrew W. Harvell
TSgt Daniel L. Zerbe
PO1 (SEAL) Darrick C. Benson
CPO (SEAL) Brian R. Bill
PO1 (SEAL) Christopher G. Campbell
PO1 Jared W. Day
PO1 John Douangdara
CPO (SEAL) John W. Faas
CPO (SEAL) Kevin A. Houston
Lt. Cmdr. (SEAL) Jonas B. Kelsall
MCPO (SEAL) Louis J. Langlais
CPO (SEAL) Matthew D. Mason
CPO (SEAL) Stephen M. Mills
CPO Nicholas H. Null
PO1 (SEAL) Jesse D. Pittman
SCPO (SEAL) Thomas A. Ratzlaff
CPO (SEAL) Robert J. Reeves
CPO (SEAL) Heath M. Robinson
PO2 (SEAL) Nicholas P. Spehar
PO1 Michael J. Strange
PO1 (SEAL) Jon T. Tumilson
PO1 (SEAL) Aaron C. Vaughn
SCPO Kraig M. Vickers
PO1 (SEAL) Jason R. Workman
Navy SEAL Dog “Bart”
Our buddy, LD Jefferies sends this picture he took;
Could you please post this picture I took at Pararescueman Tsgt John Browns interment in Arlington. I think it speaks so powerfully of the pain and loss of one of this country’s greatest assets. The picture is of John’s casket after all the attendees pounded their Pararescue, CCT and SEAL flashes into John’s casket. His bride, Tabitha, is standing at his casket as the men send their comrade to Valhalla.
Category: We Remember
This event was being discussed today, over cold refreshments, among some “top 3” NCOs as well as a half dozen O-3 and O-4 types, all tabbed or wearing a scroll or both. They remember.
When I saw the list, it stopped me cold. I read each name and selected one to google and read about in some depth. He is USAF TSgt Daniel L. Zerbe. I could tell you that he was a helluva man, but you know that. I could tell you that he was PJ NCO of the Year for 2010, but each of these men was the best of the best in one or more ways. I could tell you that he was greatly loved and that he is greatly missed, but, again, that’s nothing you don’t know for the same is true of each of these warriors.
Where is the “Like” button?
Thank you for taking the time to honor these men. Dan Zerbe was one of my best friends. He was a hero before he took any oath or put on a uniform, but what he did in service to our country was nothing less than incredible. We all miss him so much.
Tsgt John Brown was also a USAF Pararescueman and Andy Harvell was a USAF Combat Controller. They enthusiastically went into harms way and died living by their mottos, “That Others May Live’ and “First There”. Rip men, your legacies live on.
“I mean, they say you die twice. One time when you stop breathing and a second time, a bit later on, when somebody says your name for the last tim.” Banksy
Why we hate posers.
…and liars and impersonators.
GOD BLESS the Souls of every one of ye Fallen Warriors, you were taken from us far too soon. Rest In Peace, Warriors, and may we live our lives to be worthy of your legacy, you have earned your place in History and Valhalla as Worthy Warriors.
Amen.
Rest easy, gents.
Our buddy, LD Jefferies sends this picture he took;
Got dusty in here. RIP
Yep.
Heroes… every one of them. Men that went into Harm’s Way to help their brothers in arms and made the ultimate sacrifice.
God Bless them and their families.