Afghan helicopter crash kills 31 US troops

Feuer Frei! · 08-07-11, 03:09 AM

Update:
August 06, 2011

The Associated Press has learned that more than 20 Navy SEALs from the unit that killed Osama bin Laden were among those lost in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan.The operators from SEAL Team Six were flown by a crew of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment. That's according to one current and one former U.S. official. Both spoke on condition of anonymity because families are still being notified of the loss of their loved ones.
One source says the team was thought to include 22 SEALs, three Air Force air controllers, seven Afghan Army troops, a dog and his handler, and a civilian interpreter, plus the helicopter crew.
The Taliban claimed they downed the helicopter with rocket fire while it was taking part in a raid on a house where insurgents were gathered in the province of Wardak late Friday. It said wreckage of the craft was strewn at the scene.

NATO confirmed the overnight crash took place and that there "was enemy activity in the area." But it said it was still investigating the cause and conducting a recovery operation at the site. It did not release details or casualty figures.
"We are in the process of accessing the facts," said U.S. Air Force Capt. Justin Brockhoff, a NATO spokesman.
But a senior U.S. administration official in Washington said it was apparently shot down. by insurgents. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the crash is still being investigated.

Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said in a statement that Taliban fighters downed the helicopter during a "heavy raid" in Sayd Abad. He said NATO attacked a house in Sayd Abad where insurgent fighters were gathering Friday night. During the battle, the fighters shot down the helicopter, killing 31 Americans and seven Afghans, he said, adding that eight insurgents were killed in the fight.
There have been at least 17 coalition and Afghan aircraft crashes in Afghanistan this year.
Most of the crashes were attributed to pilot errors, weather conditions or mechanical failures. However, the coalition has confirmed that at least one CH-47F Chinook helicopter was hit by a rocket propelled grenade on July 25. Two coalition crew members were injured in that attack.

SOURCE

Castout · 08-07-11, 05:27 AM

Just as what the Pentagon spokesperson said. It's a tremendous loss because these are highly trained combatants(special forces).

It's a lot of people who died, a lot of highly trained people who are not easy to replace within short amount of time.

Feuer Frei! · 08-07-11, 06:02 AM

What I am also wondering is, is this coincidence? What with more than 20 navy seals onboard that did the raid on Bin Laden?
If it wasn't coincidence then the Taliban have some seriously good informants.

Platapus · 08-07-11, 10:09 AM

Helos sometimes just fall out of the sky.

Tragic loss.

Lord Justice · 08-07-11, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Platapus

Helos sometimes just fall out of the sky.

Tragic loss.

Indeed.
http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&sou...Eouuabc5DU_1bg Not to mention the 18 SAS killed during the falklands crash.

Jimbuna · 08-07-11, 12:01 PM

Terribly tragic

yubba · 08-07-11, 04:41 PM

31 lives lost, 31 dreaded knocks on the door, 31 weep-ing mothers, 31 written letters, 31 families greiving, 31 flag draped coffins, 31 vollies of gun fire, 31 new head stones, 31 empty places at the table, 31 service men reporting to God almighty, we pray that all 31 rest in peace amen.

08-07-11, 03:09 AM	#1
Feuer Frei! Navy Seal Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Valhalla Posts: 5,295 Downloads: 141 Uploads: 17	Update: August 06, 2011 The Associated Press has learned that more than 20 Navy SEALs from the unit that killed Osama bin Laden were among those lost in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan.The operators from SEAL Team Six were flown by a crew of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment. That's according to one current and one former U.S. official. Both spoke on condition of anonymity because families are still being notified of the loss of their loved ones. One source says the team was thought to include 22 SEALs, three Air Force air controllers, seven Afghan Army troops, a dog and his handler, and a civilian interpreter, plus the helicopter crew. The Taliban claimed they downed the helicopter with rocket fire while it was taking part in a raid on a house where insurgents were gathered in the province of Wardak late Friday. It said wreckage of the craft was strewn at the scene. NATO confirmed the overnight crash took place and that there "was enemy activity in the area." But it said it was still investigating the cause and conducting a recovery operation at the site. It did not release details or casualty figures. "We are in the process of accessing the facts," said U.S. Air Force Capt. Justin Brockhoff, a NATO spokesman. But a senior U.S. administration official in Washington said it was apparently shot down. by insurgents. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the crash is still being investigated. Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said in a statement that Taliban fighters downed the helicopter during a "heavy raid" in Sayd Abad. He said NATO attacked a house in Sayd Abad where insurgent fighters were gathering Friday night. During the battle, the fighters shot down the helicopter, killing 31 Americans and seven Afghans, he said, adding that eight insurgents were killed in the fight. There have been at least 17 coalition and Afghan aircraft crashes in Afghanistan this year. Most of the crashes were attributed to pilot errors, weather conditions or mechanical failures. However, the coalition has confirmed that at least one CH-47F Chinook helicopter was hit by a rocket propelled grenade on July 25. Two coalition crew members were injured in that attack. SOURCE __________________ "History is the lies that the victors agree on"- Napoleon LINK TO MY SH 3 MODS

08-07-11, 05:27 AM	#2
Castout Silent Hunter Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Jakarta Posts: 4,794 Downloads: 89 Uploads: 6	Just as what the Pentagon spokesperson said. It's a tremendous loss because these are highly trained combatants(special forces). It's a lot of people who died, a lot of highly trained people who are not easy to replace within short amount of time. __________________ My blog: http://exposingsingapore.wordpress.com/

08-07-11, 06:02 AM	#3
Feuer Frei! Navy Seal Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Valhalla Posts: 5,295 Downloads: 141 Uploads: 17	What I am also wondering is, is this coincidence? What with more than 20 navy seals onboard that did the raid on Bin Laden? If it wasn't coincidence then the Taliban have some seriously good informants. __________________ "History is the lies that the victors agree on"- Napoleon LINK TO MY SH 3 MODS

08-07-11, 10:09 AM	#4
Platapus Fleet Admiral Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 19,388 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 0	Helos sometimes just fall out of the sky. Tragic loss. __________________ abusus non tollit usum - A right should NOT be withheld from people on the basis that some tend to abuse that right.

08-07-11, 12:01 PM	#6
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,788 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	Terribly tragic __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

08-07-11, 04:41 PM	#7
yubba Admiral Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: in a neighborhood near you Posts: 2,478 Downloads: 293 Uploads: 2	31 lives lost, 31 dreaded knocks on the door, 31 weep-ing mothers, 31 written letters, 31 families greiving, 31 flag draped coffins, 31 vollies of gun fire, 31 new head stones, 31 empty places at the table, 31 service men reporting to God almighty, we pray that all 31 rest in peace amen.