SEALs' plight, Afghan copter crash detailed

Encounter with militants led to deadliest day in Afghanistan for U.S. forces
The Associated Press
Updated: 3:40 p.m. ET July 6, 2005

KABUL, Afghanistan - The last radio contact was an urgent appeal for help. Night was falling, a rainstorm threatening, and four Navy SEAL commandos were surrounded by about a dozen militants in rugged, wooded mountains. They needed reinforcements.

That hurried call set in motion a chain of events that would lead to the U.S. military's deadliest blow in Afghanistan, and the greatest loss of life ever for the elite force of SEALs.

Nine days after the ambush and subsequent downing of a U.S. special forces helicopter with 16 troops aboard, U.S military officials in Kabul and Washington are starting to draw a clearer picture of what happened and have revealed some details.

The four commandos — one of whom was rescued, two killed and one who still missing — were on a reconnaissance mission on June 28 as part of Operation Red Wing, searching for Taliban-led rebels and al-Qaida fighters in Kunar province, U.S. military spokesman Col. James Yonts said.

The eastern province has long been a hotbed of militant activity and a haven for fighters loyal to renegade former Premier Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, who is wanted by the United States. U.S. officials said al-Qaida fighters also were in the region. Osama bin Laden was not said to be there — though he is believed to be somewhere along the rugged Afghanistan-Pakistan frontier.

The region's rugged, wooded mountains are popular with militants because they are easy to infiltrate from neighboring Pakistan and have plenty of places to hide.

Attacked by 'enemy terrorists'
The SEAL team — specially trained "not only in the art of combat, but also in medicine and communications" — were attacked by a "pretty large force of enemy terrorists" and radioed for reinforcements, Yonts said at a press conference.

After the radio call for help, eight Navy SEALs and an eight-member crew from the Army's 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, known as the Night Stalkers, flew toward the mountains in a special forces MH-47 Chinook helicopter.

It was dusk as they neared the high-altitude battlefield.

Suddenly, militants hiding in the thick forest fired what is believed to have been a rocket-propelled grenade at the massive chopper, hitting it, he said.

Lt. Gen. James Conway, director of operations for the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, described the shot as "pretty lucky."

Though damaged, the chopper flew on for about a mile before landing badly on a small ledge on the side of the mountain, then tumbling into a steep ravine. All 16 onboard are thought to have died in the crash. Militants then swarmed over the wreckage.

The Chinook, when hit, had been flying alongside other choppers. Their pilots immediately informed U.S. commanders of the crash, a U.S. official said on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of information regarding special forces operations.

U.S. warplanes, more helicopters and forces on the ground were dispatched to the site, but they were hampered by the approaching rainstorm that lashed the mountains for 24 hours.

No radio contact
In the meantime, there was no contact from the four commandos. No one knew if they had been killed in the firefight, or had survived and escaped but were unable to radio for help, the official said.

Fears were further raised when a purported Taliban spokesman, Mullah Latif Hakimi, claimed rebels had captured one of the men. But he gave no proof and U.S. officials were skeptical.

Hakimi — who also claimed insurgents shot down the helicopter — often calls news organizations to take responsibility for attacks, and the information frequently proves exaggerated or untrue. His exact tie to the Taliban leadership is unclear.

U.S. forces finally reached the wreckage of the helicopter last Thursday, 36 hours after it went down.

"We put forces on the ground, we established positions so no more enemy could enter the region. Little by little we took control of the greater area so we could reach the crash site and begin recovery operations," another military spokesman, Lt. Col. Jerry O'Hara, told the Associated Press.

U.S. officials initially said 17 people were on the chopper, but later revised it downward when they realized that one of the service members who was listed on the flight manifest did not get on the aircraft.

The bodies of the 16 — ages 21 to 40 — were recovered and flown to Bagram, the main U.S. base in Afghanistan, before being transported to Dover, Del.

A breakthrough
Then on Saturday, a breakthrough came in the desperate search for the four commandos. A friendly tribal elder living in the nearby mountains told authorities he was caring for one of them in his house, Kunar Gov. Asadullah Wafa said. It wasn't clear how the commando got there, he said.

U.S. forces rushed to the site and found the commando, wounded, but in stable condition. He was flown to Bagram for treatment — and a debriefing, giving military commanders the first crucial clues about what happened to the ill-fated team.

But the good news didn't last.

On Saturday, a U.S. airstrike in the region killed as many as 17 civilians, prompting a strong rebuke by the Afghan government. The next day, U.S. troops in the area spotted the bodies of two of the commandos in a deep ravine. It took another 24 hours to recover their remains and fly them to Bagram.

It was the largest loss of Navy SEALs in a single incident since the force of about 2,400 was formed in 1962.

U.S. commanders refused to give up hope for the fourth missing service member. About 300 troops and numerous aircraft were still in the area Wednesday, searching for him and hunting "a large number" of militants, Yonts said.

"We're, of course, doing everything we can to find the last of the four SEALs. And it's a real priority, and something the president asked to get briefed on this morning," National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley said aboard Air Force One.

The U.S. military has remained tightlipped on what the commandos were doing in the area, or what happened to the men following their urgent calls for help and the helicopter crash.
© 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

© 2005 MSNBC.com

URL: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8487253/
 
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Source: http://www.navyseals.com/community/articles/article.cfm?id=7383
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Please keep these men and their families in your prayers.
 
-Rohann

Thanks Rohann...I will read about this on the Fox, Drudge Report, LGF, etc.  websites...I never, ever read information from The Associated Press, UPI, CNN, etc. as they gleefully report only the worst news out of the Mid-East.  I regard these news orgainizations as the enemy (like the terrorists), just on a different level.  Their ever purposeful campaign to limit our freedom and disassemble the only truly free country still struggling to exists puts them 'on the other side'.

The men and women who control the main stream media (MSM) loathe the concept of common American folks controling the course of their own country.  Like most of the people who gain power through legitimate and illegitimate means...eventually they want the status of Royalty for themselves and their families.

But I will desist since this thread is about the soldiers who died for us and our country.  I just want their sacrifice to be for freedom and not censorship.

I, too, am starting to avoid their articles. There are quite a few more articles on Navyseals.com; I will post some when I find them. I wasn't aware that the one I copied above was written by them.
 
-Rohann

Here's another article I just found regarding the search for the last SEAL:
 
'Aggressive Search' Underway in Afghanistan
WASHINGTON — U.S. military forces in Afghanistan (search) are conducting an "aggressive search" for a Navy SEAL who has been missing since June 28, a commander on the ground told FOX News.
 
"It's nighttime and a lot happens for us at night," the commander said. When asked if hopes were fading for finding the SEAL alive, he said "oh no, I would not characterize it that way at all."
 
The search is to find the final member of an elite four-man Navy SEAL (search) commando team. One SEAL has been rescued, while the bodies of two others were recovered Monday and taken to the main U.S. base in Afghanistan, at Bagram (search), a U.S. military statement said. A transport helicopter sent in to rescue the four was shot down the day the team went missing, killing all 16 U.S. servicemen aboard.
 
"We're ... doing everything we can to find the last of the four SEALs. And it's a real priority, and something the president asked to get briefed on this morning," U.S. National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley told reporters aboard Air Force One.
 
Another U.S. military spokesman, Col. James Yonts, would not go into details about the search to reporters. "We are very hopeful that we will recover this individual back into our care soon. We are working this very hard," he told reporters in Kabul.
 
He said the U.S. military has 300 troops in the area as well as numerous aircraft.
 
A U.S. military statement said the sole rescued serviceman was receiving medical treatment for "non-life-threatening injuries" at the Bagram base.
 
The commander who spoke to FOX News on condition of anonymity said the SEAL team found itself in a heavy firefight with a group of Taliban or Al Qaeda fighters when it called for backup.
 
The SEALs started moving out of the area and down a ravine when they came under more heavy small arms and rocket propelled grenades from another direction. The rescued SEAL remembers seeing two of his colleagues being shot — although he didn't know whether the shots were fatal, according to the commander.
 
The one SEAL was knocked unconscious from the concussion of an explosion nearby. When he woke up, it was night and he didn't see anyone. He then went to a pre-assigned checkpoint to get out of the area, the commander said.
 
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,161665,00.html
 
http://www.navyseals.com/community/articles/article.cfm?id=7367
 
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Here's another written by a former SEAL from navyseals.com:
 
Mark Divine: A Warrior's Tribute
We imagine the reconnaissance team getting over-run on the ground in a hail of bullets after being compromised by a goat, or dog. It is bitter cold and snowing on the Afghanistan – Pakistan border. The four man team has been there for 3 days after intelligence indicated a gathering of Al-Queda and Taliban fighters in the region. The team scampers out of their hide site when spotted and scrambles with all they have in them up the side of the rugged mountain. The OIC grabs the handset of the radio and keys his mike..."Bravo One, Bravo One, this is Bravo Three, over. Bravo Three, this is Bravo One, send your traffic. Bravo One we are taking effective fire, I say again, we are taking effective fire. Request immediate support. Over." The voice is tense, but controlled. The distinct sound of incoming rounds – like branches of a tree snapping – is heard. Then nothing more.

The Quick Reaction Force (QRF) is launched – comprised of US Navy SEALs from an East Coast SEAL Team and an Army Special Operations transport Helo Squadron (MH-47's). Three birds are launched. 45 minutes after the call they are nearing the drop zone and start taking fire themselves. One bird is hit with a shoulder fired RPG. Lucky hit. The helo limps for a mile, then collides into the side of the unforgiving mountain. It slides, end-over end, to the bottom of the ravine. 17 of America's finest SEAL and Air commandos are gone, forever.

It could have been me, I think. But then, that was years ago. But I play it over and over in my mind – what it must have felt like – to each man.

The fear. The pain. The intense anger at this injustice. Their families will miss them terribly. It was not supposed to happen to them – not here, not now. NOT ME! Their thoughts spin out of control along with the dying helicopter. Then it is over.

Soon...17 warrior souls are seeing each other for the first time – with questioning eyes...whoa. What now? They see their physical bodies in the wreckage – but they are still here. Is this what death is? They are motionless, unsure, seeking answers. A light shines above them, and an angel comes down to them – beckoning them to come. The angel is dressed in a WWI style infantryman's uniform. He tells them, without words, not to worry. Warriors take care of their own in Heaven, he says. They have been expected, and there is a big reception planned. He asks if they would like to visit their loved one's before going to Heaven. They all say yes. The angel takes them instantly to their homes – where word of the tragedy has not yet reached. They see their wives and children sleeping, playing. They see their parents, friends, and teammates. They tell them not to worry, for they are going to a safe place. They pray that their loved ones will understand that life is fleeting, and that death is part of the warrior's path. Do not grieve us they say...we died an honorable death. Honor our memory. Tell our story. Teach our children how to live with dignity and honor. Teach our teammates how to live well, and die honorably. Mourn us for a time, but then celebrate our lives.

The words settle into the hearts of their loved ones, providing comfort. An uncanny feeling comes over them that they are not alone. Later, the loved ones smile through their tears – knowing intuitively that their warrior is in a good place.

Tears also run down my cheek as I write these words. So sad. So many young men and women dying for a cause they do not understand fully. But they are not alone. Every generation and every culture has warriors. It is the warrior souls that have given us the freedom to read these words, and live in comfort. We owe them a debt of gratitude that is almost indescribable. Warrior Souls - they do not question the why, but serve honorably, and die.

God Bless them all.

And God Bless all of you on the 4th of July.


Mark Divine
NavySEALs.com
Mark Divine is a former Navy SEAL officer. He founded NavySEALs.com to provide news and information about the SEALs and other Special Operations Forces, as well as assist recruiting efforts. He is CEO of US Tactical, Inc., which provides products and training to military, law enforcement and others. Mark lives in North County, San Diego with his wife and 5 year old son.
 
http://www.navyseals.com/community/articles/article.cfm?id=7363
 
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-Rohann

That is absolutely fine Rohann.  Thanks for posting both the story and the tribute.

Fallen warriors deserve the best memories we can share.

God bless and keep the men and women who preserve us from the malignant forces that would enslave us.

That they are!
 
 As are the rest of us... for each time we lose one man who would give his life for another, we are that much more at risk.
 
 Eternal and unbounded gratitude to those called to serve in this way,  whose lives  are given for mine every minute of every day!