31 U.S. Soldiers die in Afghanistan Helicopter Crash

[Vertigo]

DOD released the names of these heroes killed today:

Lt. Cmdr. (SEAL) Jonas B. Kelsall, 32, of Shreveport, La.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tech. Sgt. John W. Brown, 33, of Tallahassee, Fla. 24th STS Pope AFB

Staff Sgt. Andrew W. Harvell, 26, of Long Beach, Calif. 24th STS Pope AFB

Tech. Sgt. Daniel L. Zerbe, 28, of York, Pa. 24th STS Pope AFB

.

Edited August 12, 2011 by Vertigo

[nsplayr]

Yesterday I heard General John Allen giving a press conference on the CH-47 crash among other things related to Afghanistan. Not that other commanders or generals don't, but he sounded extremely articulate, smart, and had well thought out answers to every question asked of him. I trusted what he was saying and I was just listening in the car driving to the grocery store. I know he's a Marine, but any of the old heads around here worked with/for him before?

[OverTQ]

Edited August 15, 2011 by OverTQ

[ChkHandleDn]

Got this in the email today.

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.

[herkbum]

The Washington Nationals are going to wear SEAL baseball hats tonight in their game against the Cincinnati Reds to honor the fallen.

[backseatdriver]

The Washington Nationals are going to wear SEAL baseball hats tonight in their game against the Cincinnati Reds to honor the fallen.

It really irks me how much attention is being paid to the SEALs at the cost of the rest of the guys on board (to include the crew which had hardly been mentioned before the pilot's son sent out his message on CNN). I understand why - the recent attention due to the Bin Laden raid, basic ignorance of the masses, etc, but it irks nonetheless.

Ultimately it's good that folks are at least doing SOMETHING to honor the fallen, just wish they wouldn't be selective, even if unintentional.

[nsplayr]

If it were me trying to honor those guys I'd wear a patch with the callsign of the helo. Seems like a common way to do it when we lose a bird in the AF. Not sure if that's releasable yet or what's driving that decision...

[hawkdriver29]

http://www.thepostgame.com/blog/dish/201108/mlbs-controversial-decision-stop-military-tribute-hats

MLB = FAIL

[Swizzle]

Patriot Riders escorted a good man through Ft. Leavenworth this afternoon. It was done right.

Them, them.

Edited August 19, 2011 by Swizzle

[fire4effect]

[Stitch]

[Butters]

A very good friend of mine knew many of these guys. This is what he posted on his web site recently as a final fairwell to his friends.

Rob Reeves was my point man, he was an absolute stud. I remember on a training mission in Florida we were swimming for about 12-hours and Robs flotation in his ruck sack busted and his ruck sank. We were in about 100ft of water and about 8-hours into it I finally noticed he was struggling. The situation was not fun and we were getting very cold. I asked Rob if he wanted me to take his Ruck since I was a strong swimmer and he simply looked at me and smiled and said “No I need the practice”. That was Rob he was compassionate and at the flip of a light switch he was an animal. He kept me safe on the streets of Mosul more times than I can count and kept me calm when I had to deal with some less than motivated people. Rob was true southern gentleman. Rob had over 3000 people come to his funeral.

Jonas Kelsall and Rob were high school best freinds, Jonas was an Officer and Rob was enlisted so the humor and jokes were in full force at all times. On the same training mission as the one above we finally got to our extract point 5-hours overdue. The weather was less than desireable. Jonas was waiting for us on the boats, the boat team wanted to leave and come back later to get us but Jonas wouldnt have it. He stayed in place for hours in the rain and wind and waves. The whole crew was seasick but Jonas refused to leave us out there for the night. When we got onboard Jonas could see were were smoked, most of us couldnt get on the boats by ourselves because our legs wouldnt work anymore so he hauled us and our gear aboard. As I was sitting there very unhappy Jonas handed me a beer. He just said “I thought you could use this”. It was one of the best beers of my life.

Chris Campbell and I met each other in 1997, Chris was an awesome dude and never lost his temper at anything. One time we were in Baghdad preparing to go out for raid and Chris got white out in his goggles and crashed his vehicle into a chain link fence. He looked at all of us smiled and said “my bad”. That was Chris, calm, unflappable. That same night since Chris’s vehicle was out of commission he was moved to the gunner of another vehicle. We got into some heat and during the middle of the chaos Chris looked down at me kicked me in the shoulder and said in the calmest voice “excuse me Taco would you mind handing me another box of ammo”. I screamed back handed him the ammo and he said in the calmest voice “thank you”. My heartrate was 210 his was about 50.

Heath Robinson was the most private person I ever met. Heath never spoke about anything personal. Heath was the epitamy of professional, he was a physical beast, a world class shooter and a complete warrior. Heath was a born leader and the only person I ever tried to emulate. Heath was small but he was very scary. He had the most intense look in his eyes when he was working and his work ethic was legendary. Heath was a man of few words and his actions spoke volumes. Heath refused to lose at anything, he never boasted but when it was time to compete he would push himself so hard and drive himself to complete exhaustion. I do not remember Heath ever losing any run or swim in the whole time I knew him. Even when he was hurt he still refused to lose. As soon as he finished he would turn around and run back to the end of the pack and run with whoever was last. He didnt say anything he just ran side by side with them. Heath was a great teammate and a great person.

Jon Tumlimson was one of the best guys I ever met. I was an instructor when JT started his carrer and I remember how stoic he was during Hell Week. He was the rock of his boat crew. After he graduated I had the pleasure of teaching JT about Breaching and advanced diving operations. He was a great student and a great person. JT was always happy and always down to earth.

Matt Mason his wife Jessica and Leilani were close freinds. Leilani helped them find there first home. The budget of an E-5 Seal in the 90′s was less than desireable. Leilani showed them so many houses and they were always so appreciative. Matt loved his wife and would not settle for a house that was not the best he could afford. Matt’s family was all that mattered, he hated to leave Jessica but he had the disease of a warrior. He hated to leave but he hated to be away from work. Matt made Chief in 7-years which shows how much his teammates respected him. Matt’s three sons will never know the trusted and professional warrior I knew but they will never doubt how much there father loved them.

[Champ Kind]

Thanks for that, and for bumping this thread.

This is the type of stuff that really matters.

[Guest Hueypilot812]

Thanks for that, and for bumping this thread.

This is the type of stuff that really matters.

I bet they couldn't sing the Air Force song...

[Butters]

I bet they couldn't sing the Air Force song...

Probably not, for several reasons... one being they were Navy, but I do get your point. To bad some in the AF do not.

"If you can't sing the AF Song how can you fire your weapon properly in combat?"

"Stand over next to that sand dune and I will show you!"

[OverTQ]

It has been 18 years since I had to sing the AF song, I still remember it. I probably should push that penguin off the ice berg for something important like a kids birthday. Back on topic, A service for CW2 Nichols was this last weekend. The real bummer of his life was he just survived a class A weeks before with causalities in which the pilots where the only one's unhurt. There is never a back side of the hill in flying. RIP brother.