Although the Taliban have claimed to have shot the helicopter down, U.S. officials have only identified the attackers as insurgents. The reality is, every time a helicopter lifts off the ground in a war zone, it might get shot down, Darack said. Several Afghans were on board and were killed, but trust is in short supply in Afghanistan. The Chinook was descending on a noisy battlefield where Apache helicopters and a C-130 gunship had been buzzing overhead for three hours, alerting Taliban fighters. Family members question SEAL Team 6's most deadly incident. Enterprise writer at The Dallas Morning News. His father Billy Vaughn recounted Thursday a phone call from his son following the White House decision to credit the highly secretive military unit for the bin Laden raid. Planners selected a landing zone that had never been used before. I am afraid that with this FOIA case that the government is purposely delaying turning over documents because they need the time to redact and to delete things they do not want the American public to become aware of.. Extortion 17, however, would never reach that landing zone. The landing zone was small, and the commanders didnt want to split up the strike force. A spokesman for the Taliban, Zabiullah Mujahid, confirmed that insurgents had been gathering at the compound, adding that eight of them had been killed in the fighting. The helicopter was in great operational shape. It just wasnt.. By signing up you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, Stand with us in our mission to discover and uncover the story of North Texas, SEAL Team 6 and what really happened on America's deadliest day in Afghanistan, Woman arrested in killing of 3 children at Italy, Texas, home in Ellis County, The Cowboys are closer than you think to a total makeover at running back, What we know after 3 children killed, 2 wounded at Ellis County home, How a Texas districts reaction to school shooting fears highlights discipline concerns, 3 children killed, 2 wounded at Ellis County home; suspect in custody, American Airlines, flight attendants file for mediation during contract negotiations, New Uptown office tower lands second major lease, Years after North Texas bid for Amazons second headquarters, retail giant halts plan, Mesquite to become the site of new 2,500-home community, North Texas builders see influx of activity in new year, but challenges persist, Mark Wahlberg pours tequila for fans at Dallas restaurant during thunderstorm, Ross Perot Jr.s Hillwood buys California NASCAR track for $559 million, Whats next for former Texas coach Chris Beard after domestic violence case was dropped, Chambelanes cambian de look: bailarines se adaptan a una nueva moda y ritmo en DFW, Dallas Cowboys to place second-round tender on RT Terence Steele. The pilots ranked among the most proficient in this type of flying and the Department of Defense. In all 38 troops died after the helicopter was shot down by what a review determined to be a Taliban RPG over Wardak Province, Afghanistan, on Aug. 6, 2011. They loaded onto Extortion 17, and then Carter and Nichols lifted the Chinook into the night sky. A number of the DEVGRU SEALs were devastated by this loss . But why? Many of these family members are undergoing psychological care over what has become a double tragedy: the deaths of their sons and the cover-up for which these family members feel betrayed by their own government.. Some news stories reported that investigators couldnt find the helicopters black box, referring to the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder. Joining the 15members of SEAL Team 6, two pilots and three-man crew inside Extortion 17: ten other Navy and Air Force personnel, eight Afghansand a combat assault dog named Bart. "We have an ideology problem with this war, and we need to address it. "In releasing their identity, they put a target on their backs," said Doug Hamburger, whose son, Army Staff Sgt. A collection of moments during and after Barack Obama's presidency. It had been loaded well within its limits. . We had guys who had flown in Desert Storm, guys who had just come off active duty, Lee said. KABUL, Afghanistan -- A helicopter crash in Afghanistan's eastern Wardak province has killed 30 U.S. special operation troops and seven Afghan soldiers, the country's president said on. Guys on the bush line. Each shouldered a rocket propelled grenade launcher, aimed at the dim silhouette of the approaching helicopter then fired. When asked what lessons Americans can draw from the crash of Extortion 17, Lees answer is simple: Americans should care about what happens in Afghanistan because theyve sent Americans to war there. But why? How SEAL Team 6 . But why? 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. The operation to kill the world's most wanted terrorist was the result of years of planning and training. You never want to use the same landing zone twice, Darack said. Add in the fact that more sophisticated foreign intelligence agents are on the ground, with signals intelligence assets and deep pockets, and you have a recipe for a plot. The Chinook is often used to assist in disaster relief, delivering food and water after earthquakes and floods. Only the pilots, crew, and special operations ground forces commanders knew about the planned flight path and time. Nobody involved had overlooked even the most minute detail. President Trump has been known, over the years, to tweet some bizarre things. The Taliban, of course, has taken credit, saying it shot down the helo during a special forces raid on a home. Somebody was leaking to the Taliban, said Mr. But it's often foreign to those who observe combat from afar. Missions like this one to insert or remove an assault force are the military equivalent of a perfect 10 in the Olympics -- equal parts skill, experience and daring. It's a scary thought. The U.S. military claimed that the Chinook was blown to pieces by a shoulder-fired missile, in which everyone on board was burned beyond recognition. Their target was a Taliban commander responsible for ambushes and other attacks against U.S. and Afghan forces. He spoke out against banning girls education. Darack, a writer and photographer, is the author of four previous books, including Victory Point: Operations Red Wings and Whalersthe Marine Corps' Battle for Freedom in Afghanistan, Join half a million readers enjoying Newsweek's free newsletters. Around 2007, U.S. intelligence officials discovered the name of one of bin Ladens closest couriers, whom they speculated may have been involved in supporting or harboring the terrorist. It was a hard landing, but it would have been worse if they had landed tail first. It alleges thatthe 2011 raid that killed Osama Bin Laden, which took place when Biden was vice president, did not actually kill the al-Qaeda leader, but rather a body double, and that Iran had been part of the conspiracy as well. As for himself, he speaks out about Extortion 17 because he wants to remember the men on that mission. ", While not commenting directly on the allegations, he called those who were lost "warriors" who represented "the diversity and talent of America and its military.". So the whole team went in one Chinook helicopter -- Extortion 17. "A NATO helicopter crashed last night in Wardak province," Karzai said in the statement. Darack did extensive research of what happened next. A chief warrant officer 5, a member of the Colorado National Guard, Carter had over 4,500 flying hours, including more than 1,000 hours during combat deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan. Things like Benghazi and the NSA. But no one died. What in the world was that Navy Seals conspiracy that Trump retweeted? On a moonless night, an Army helicopter carrying 17 members of the elite Navy SEAL Team 6, the unit that killed Osama Bin Laden, is shot down in Afghanistan. One of the engines flew off, and the other caught fire. "Chance will always play a role in war," stated Justin "Buddy" Lee, the commander of Extortion Company, who had flown with Dave Carter the night before Extortion 17's demise on a similar raid, and who had co-piloted a number of missions with Bryan Nichols. But what if it was a more advanced missile? Copyright 2023 The Washington Times, LLC. It was exactly four years ago, at 2:22 a.m., that a rebuilt conventional CH-47 Chinook helicopter took off from a forward operating base, carrying some of the most skilled and advanced warriors ever molded by U.S. special operations. We were told at that time we were the first unit to make it through a rotation without having anyone killed.. For now, let's assume the Chinook was shot down, and by a rocket. Fallen Angel: Call Sign - Extortion 17: Directed by Karl Horstmann, Stephen Spivey. Some of those Seals were members of Seal Team 6 that took part in the raid that killed Osama Bin Laden, the AP reported today; although they were not actual participants in the Pakistan raid, according to the New York Times. It was the largest single loss of life for Seal Team 6, also known as the Naval Special Warfare Development Group, (DEVGRU) in the unit's history. The military's public contradictions raise more questions than answers.On a moonless night, an Army helicopter carrying 17 members of the elite Navy SEAL Team 6, the unit that killed Osama Bin Laden, is shot down in Afghanistan. The workhorse in Army aviation, the tandem rotor, heavy-lift Chinook helicopter is used for carrying troops, equipment, supplies and even the mail. All Rights Reserved. When they arrived at the compound, however, the strike force couldn't locate Tahir, and some of his fighters dispersed. On July 25, a Chinook was hit by a rocket propelled grenade fired by the Taliban. The Rangers were not in need of rescue. They believe SEAL Team 6 had a target on its back and that persons inside the Afghan National Security Forces may have tipped off the Taliban that night in Tangi Valley. These materials provided much-needed intelligence about bin Ladens role within al-Qaeda and the organizations inner-workings. One of the things I vowed, I will never forget. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? [PHOTOS:Fighting in Afghanistan Continues]. Strange also blamed top military brass for sending the troops into a situation they were allegedly ill-equipped and unprepared to handle. Every mission is potentially life-threatening. Your life is in danger. Trump, who is running for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination, announced a slate of futuristic new policies in a campaign video Friday. Nigerians await election results in competitive race. The first of the unguided projectiles missed, as the vast majority of rocket propelled grenades shot at helicopters did over the course of the war in Afghanistan. But why? Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, However, the AP has reported, the Afghan forces never staffed the outpost after American forces left, and the Taliban moved back in. One source says the team was thought to include 22 SEALs, three Air Force air controllers, seven Afghan Army troops, a dog and handler, and a civilian interpreter, plus the helicopter crew. Navy SEAL Team Six, the heroic unit that killed Osama Bin Laden in Pakistan in May 2011, is in grave danger due to the reckless actions of the Obama administration. ", Ed Darack's The Final Mission of Extortion 17, published by Smithsonian Books, will be available on September 19. Helicopter raids are dangerous and unpredictable. The tragedy took some of the glow off SEAL Team 6s grand achievement just three months earlier: A team penetrated Pakistan airspace, infiltrated a compound in Abbottabad and killed al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. or redistributed. Legal Statement. There are more sophisticated threats out there, such as the SA-16. They knew. During the last several years it is evident that our government has spent a lot of time and resources covering up the truth on many things from both our allies and the American public, Mr. Retired Army Lt. Gen. William Boykin, who served as deputy undersecretary of defense for Intelligence and was a commander in the Army's super-secret "Delta Force," denounced politicized rules of engagement as a "deliberate plot" within the American armed forces that he says puts political correctness above the safety of the troops. The Pentagon on Thursday identified the Americans as 17 members of the elite Navy SEALs, five Naval Special Warfare personnel who support the SEALs, three Air Force Special Operations personnel and. The actual mission, dubbed Operation Neptune Spear, officially started in the early-morning hours of May 2, Pakistan time (afternoon of May 1, Eastern Daylight Time). In combat, its mission is to transport large teams of elite assault troops, including Army Rangers and Navy SEALs, to and from the battlefield. The families of some of the 17 SEAL Team 6 commandos who were killed in an ambush in Afghanistan during a helicopter flight to help Army Rangers pinned down by Taliban gunmen accused the Obama administration of deliberately endangering their loved ones for political ends. The loss of a Chinook helicopter carrying members of Navy SEAL Team Six made yesterday the deadliest single day in the entire Afghan War for the U.S., 3 Questions About the SEAL Team Six Crash, Russian Cargo Plane Explodes During Pressure Test, better protected from newer, more sophisticated threats, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. Aerial view of Osama bin Laden's compound in the Pakistani city of Abbottabad, made by the CIA. Where was the Chinook's black box cockpit recorder? May 1 (EDT)1:25 p.m. President Obama, along with other top officials, formally approve the execution of Operation Neptune Spear.1:51 p.m. Stealth Black Hawk helicopters take off from Afghanistan, carrying a group of 25 Navy SEALs.3:30 p.m. The choppers land on the compound in Abbottabad. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. "We will draw inspiration from their lives, and continue the work of securing our country and standing up for the values that they embodied.". The Taliban silenced him. Stephen M. Mills, 35, of Fort Worth, Tex., was reportedly the leader of the Navy SEAL team killed in the Chinook helicopter attack on Aug. 6. The front rotor shattered, and the back pylon sheared off. Were pleading with the judge to do something, and hes just sitting on it., In one of his motions, Mr. Klayman stated: As this Court must be aware, this is not an ordinary Freedom of Information Act case, it involves obtaining records concerning the deaths of Navy SEAL Team 6 and other special operations forces on a mission with the call sign Extortion 17. To minimize the danger as much as possible, pilots will land Chinooks out of range of any weapons they know they enemy to have, and an Apache or a UAV will fly overhead to check for threats before the Chinooks drop off any soldiers. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst. But Tahir and a group of his fighters escaped. But Chinooks are at their most vulnerable while hovering in place during raids like the one this team is thought to have been conducting. Apparently, someone tipped them off that the SEALs were coming; the helicopter was attacked from three sides in a coordinated ambush. A silhouette of a flight engineer manning an M240 machine gun on the ramp of a CH-47D Chinook in eastern Afghanistan. And the shooters had no reason to know that Extortion 17 or any other helicopter would be flying through their quiet extremity of the valley. "So much of the war is fought in areas where these helicopters have to fly at high altitudes," where the thin air can strain the performance of the engines and rotor blades, said Ed Darack, author of the recently published book, The Final Mission of Extortion 17: Special Ops, Helicopter Support, SEAL Team Six and the Deadliest Day of the U.S. War in Afghanistan. The terrorist leader was not only a major player within al-Qaeda but also a figurehead that attracted supporters and recruits from around the world. However, a shoot down does not necessarily mean insurgents have changed their tactics or hardware. During the event organized by a group called Freedom Watch, family members and former military personnel claimed President Obama turned the SEALs group into a Taliban target after the administration revealed they had conducted the bin Laden raid. ", "The hearts and minds of our enemy are more valuable to our government than my son's blood," she said. The SEALS intentionally . The team began intense training for the operation, which included practicing in a life-sized replica of the compound. Image:U.S. PresidentDonaldTrumpholds a campaign rally at John Murtha Johnstown-Cambria County Airport in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, U.S. October 13, 2020. Lees wife, Christy, hoped the news would bring a sudden end to the war. Is Russias Only Aircraft Carrier Cursed? The parents of three SEALs. Could an enemy have specifically targeted the U.S. special forces team that took down bin Laden? Some of those Seals were members of Seal Team 6 that took part in the raid that killed Osama Bin Laden, the AP reported today; although they were not actual participants in the Pakistan raid, according to the New York Times. The compounds unusual and extensive security features, along with further intelligence information, prompted suspicion that the residence was Osama bin Ladens hideout. But special forces don't get such a cushion: Because they can react more quickly, they undertake more dangerous missions; their risk tolerance is much, much higher. "President Karzai expressed his deep condolences because of this incident and expressed his sympathy to Barack Obama.". We also mourn the Afghans who died alongside our troops in pursuit of a more peaceful and hopeful future for their country. The Chinook had no Apache escort, as did the Ranger team that enjoyed the element of surprise when it touched down hours earlier. Afghan President Karzai's office released a statement on the incident. The crash took the lives of 17 SEALs and five special warfare development group operators, making it the worst one-day loss in the history of U.S. naval special operations.