GORE-Tex Professional

Rest In Peace Men of Extortion 17

Two years ago today we lost some great young Americans in a tragic aircraft crash during combat with our enemies. All told, air and ground mission crews, we lost 38 souls that night: 17 US Navy SEALs, 5 NSW Fleet Techs, 2 USAF Pararescumen, 1 USAF Combat Controller, 5 US Army National Guard and Army Reserve Aviators, 7 Afghan Commandos, and 1 Afghan interpreter. Also on board was a single NSW Working Dog.

20130805-203816.jpg

I live in Virginia’s Tidewater and it really hit this community hard. All of them will be missed, no matter where they hailed from. There are a lot of families and friends out here missing a little piece of themselves in the passing of these men. Rest in Peace brothers, you are not forgotten.

Now, some tough talk for those of us still living. If you are sharing a tribute to these men on this one day a year like this was something special, you trivialize the sacrifice of all of the rest of those men and women who have died in service over the history of this nation. Remember them all, always.

15 Responses to “Rest In Peace Men of Extortion 17”

  1. Brian says:

    One of the most if not the most single tragedy of war fare in the entire Afghanistan,Iraq War! I still think of this allot and how many amazing soldiers all lost there life. I wish I knew more details?

    • Stephen says:

      If anybody does want to know some of the details that I know please feel free to e-mail me at Blackhawk_1985@hotmail.com
      I was in the same unit as half of the crewmembers, I want to debunk a lot of the myths out there.

  2. Joe says:

    I feel like there should be a picture of the MWD too. I have also always wondered, who was the dog handler.

  3. Gyozo says:

    Rest In Peace Heroes.

  4. Jim says:

    Nice sentiment Eric

  5. Palehorse1 says:

    Irreplaceable. That is what I think every time I hear about another one of our nations best lost to us, no matter what color their uniform.

  6. parabellum375 says:

    Blue Skies brothers

  7. N703 says:

    Rest In Peace brothers.

    This is also one of the first accurate (public) lists I’ve seen of their correct professions minus two details. (Fleet Techs? Really?)

  8. straps says:

    Thanks for posting this.

    These warriors absolutely deserve a place in our nation’s memory.

    We are diminished.

  9. Stephen says:

    Rest in Peace Extortion 17

  10. You've got to be kidding me says:

    Love ya Big Andy & miss ya everyday brother…I’ll see you in Valhalla bro

  11. charliefoxtrot says:

    that was a bad day, happened not too far from us. Everyone was pretty spooked, initial word was RPG brought it down, if that many of the best were lost in one hit…what chance did we all have?

    Between that and the rhino in kabul…. 2011 sucked.

    RIP brothers.