On 08/06/2011, a U.S. CH-47 Chinook helicopter was shot down while transporting a quick reaction force attempting to reinforce an engaged unit of Army Rangers in Wardak province, Afghanistan. The resulting crash killed all 38 people on board: 25 American Special Operations personnel, 5 U.S. Army National Guard/Army Reserve crewmen, 7 Afghan commandos, and 1 Afghan interpreter, as well as a US military working dog. It is considered the worst loss of US military life in a single incident in the Afghan Campaign and the greatest single loss of life ever suffered by the USSOCOM community in its 24-year history. A source from the Navy Special Warfare community described the reaction as “shock and disbelief. There’s no precedent for this. It’s the worst day in our history by a mile.” We honor the loss of our teammates and continue to pray for their families. May we continue to say their names and never forget their sacrifice. “Long live the brotherhood”
