Fourteen years ago today, on the early morning of August 6, 2011, the United States suffered the deadliest single loss of American lives in the war in Afghanistan—a tragic day that came to be known as the Extortion 17 incident.
A CH-47 Chinook helicopter, call sign Extortion 17, was shot down during a combat mission in the Tangi Valley of Wardak Province, Afghanistan. The aircraft was carrying 30 American military personnel, one military working dog, and eight Afghan nationals when it was struck by an enemy rocket-propelled grenade shortly after takeoff. There were no survivors.
This devastating loss took a heavy toll on the U.S. military and, in particular, the Naval Special Warfare community, as many of those onboard were U.S. Navy SEALs from SEAL Team 6, the elite unit best known for the raid that killed Osama bin Laden just months earlier. These brave warriors were on a mission to provide critical support for their brothers already engaged in a firefight on the ground. They answered the call with courage—and paid the ultimate price.
Their sacrifice is a stark and solemn reminder of the cost of freedom. These were not just names or ranks; they were fathers, sons, brothers, and friends. They were teammates. Patriots. Heroes. Each one raised their hand to serve a cause greater than themselves, willing to walk into danger so others wouldn’t have to.
We will never forget the 31 American lives lost that day, including our loyal four-legged warrior.
We Honor the Fallen of Extortion 17:
U.S. Army Aviation
- SGT Alexander J. Bennett
- SPC Spencer C. Duncan
- CWO Bryan J. Nichols
- CWO David R. Carter
- SSG Patrick D. Hamburger
U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC)
- TSgt John W. Brown
- SSgt Andrew W. Harvell
- TSgt Daniel L. Zerbe
U.S. Navy SEALs (NSW)
- PO1 (SEAL) Darrick C. Benson
- CPO (SEAL) Brian R. Bill
- PO1 (SEAL) Christopher G. Campbell
- PO1 Jared W. Day
- PO1 John Douangdara & Military Working Dog “Bart
- CPO (SEAL) John W. Faas
- CPO (SEAL) Kevin A. Houston
- Lt. Cmdr. (SEAL) Jonas B. Kelsall
- MCPO (SEAL) Louis J. Langlais
- CPO (SEAL) Matthew D. Mason
- CPO (SEAL) Stephen M. Mills
- CPO (SEAL) Nicholas H. Null
- PO1 (SEAL) Jesse D. Pittman
- SCPO (SEAL) Thomas A. Ratzlaff
- CPO (SEAL) Robert J. Reeves
- CPO (SEAL) Heath M. Robinson
- PO2 (SEAL) Nicholas P. Spehar
- PO1 Michael J. Strange
- PO1 (SEAL) Jon T. Tumilson
- PO1 (SEAL) Aaron C. Vaughn
- SCPO (SEAL) Kraig M. Vickers
- PO1 (SEAL) Jason R. Workman
NAVY SEAL Dog “BART” – The loyal working dog who died alongside his handler and teammates, serving with honor.
Say Their Names. Remember Their Stories.
Their courage, dedication, and selflessness will forever be etched into the history of American valor. While their loss left an unfillable void, their legacy lives on through the lives they touched, the freedoms they defended, and the inspiration they continue to bring to patriots around the world.
Let us never forget what these warriors gave so that we may live in peace and security. On this solemn anniversary, may we honor their memory, share their legacy, and carry forward their spirit—in our hearts, in our words, and in our actions.
We will never forget Extortion 17.
August 6, 2011
Forever in our hearts.
#Extortion17 #NeverForget #HonorTheFallen #TeamNeverQuit #AmericanHeroes #GoldStarFamilies #SayTheirNames #SEALTeam6 #FallenWarriors #FreedomIsNotFree
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