Remembering August 6th, 2011 and the Greatest Loss of Life in the Afghanistan Campaign

Today we remember 8.6.11, a day that will always be etched in our minds as the single greatest loss of life since the war in Afghanistan began.

What had originally been released was that a Chinook carrying a QRF (Quick Reaction Force ) was hit with an RPG (Rocket Propelled Grenade) in the province of Wardak on their way to rescue four SEALs under attack. Three of these SEALs were also killed and the fourth rescued.

These 31 brave heroes will always be remembered for their selfless service, honor and courage. We will never forget them and what they’ve done for our country.

Our Fallen

NSWC

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• U.S. Navy SEAL Working Dog Bart

USAR/ARNG

• Chief Warrant Officer David R. Carter, 47, of Centennial, Colo. – Assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 135th Aviation Regiment (General Support Aviation Battalion), Aurora, Colo.;
• Chief Warrant Officer Bryan J. Nichols, 31, of Hays, Kan. – Assigned to the 7th Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment (General Support Aviation Battalion), New Century, Kan.;
• Sgt. Patrick D. Hamburger, 30, of Lincoln, Neb. – Assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 135th Aviation Regiment (General Support Aviation Battalion), Grand Island, Neb.;
• Sgt. Alexander J. Bennett, 24, of Tacoma, Wash. – Assigned to the 7th Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment (General Support Aviation Battalion), New Century, Kan.;
• Spc. Spencer C. Duncan, 21, of Olathe, Kan. – Assigned to the 7th Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment (General Support Aviation Battalion), New Century, Kan.

AFSOC

• Tech. Sgt. John W. Brown, 33, of Tallahassee, Fla. – Assigned to the 24th Special Tactics Squadron, Pope Field, N.C.
• Staff Sgt. Andrew W. Harvell, 26, of Long Beach, Calif.  – Assigned to the 24th Special Tactics Squadron, Pope Field, N.C.
• Tech. Sgt. Daniel L. Zerbe, 28, of York, Pa.  – Assigned to the 24th Special Tactics Squadron, Pope Field, N.C.

8.6.11

We have also created our 8.6.11 Tribute Morale Patch to further honor our fallen from this tragedy. Proceeds from these patches are still being gathered as we search for a charity that will donate to all those affected. The Special Operations Warrior Foundation  is where we feel these funds should go at the moment, as the SOWF stepped up after this tragedy and  offered scholarships to all the children of those lost.

Please help support our fallen by purchasing a patch or donating to the many great charities out there helping our fallen. Even if you’re unable to donate, please never forget their sacrifice and take a moment of silence today to remember.

We will never forget.