Tech. Sgt. Daniel L. Zerbe, a pararescueman assigned to the 24th Special Tactics Squadron, Pope Field, N.C., died Aug. 6 when his aircraft, a coalition CH-47 Chinook, crashed in the Maiden Wardak Province in eastern Afghanistan. Zerbe and two other Air Force Special Operations Command Special Tactics Airmen, Tech. Sgt. John W. Brown and Staff. Sgt. Andrew W. Harvell were among 25 U.S. Special Operations Command operators who died in the crash, which also took the lives of five U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers, seven Afghan commandos and one civilian interpreter.
Tech. Sgt. John W. Brown, a pararescueman assigned to the 24th Special Tactics Squadron, Pope Field, N.C., died Aug. 6 when his aircraft, a coalition CH-47 Chinook, crashed in the Maiden Wardak Province in eastern Afghanistan. Zerbe and two other Air Force Special Operations Command Special Tactics Airmen, Tech. Sgt. Daniel L. Zerbe and Staff. Sgt. Andrew W. Harvell were among 25 U.S. Special Operations Command operators who died in the crash, which also took the lives of five U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers, seven Afghan commandos and one civilian interpreter.
8/11/2011 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Three Air Force Special Operations Command Airmen died Saturday morning when their aircraft, a coalition CH-47 Chinook, crashed in the Maiden Wardak Province in eastern Afghanistan. They were among 25 U.S. Special Operations Command operators who died in the crash, which also took the lives of five U.S. Soldiers, seven Afghan commandos and one civilian interpreter.
The Department of Defense announced today the Airmen were pararescuemen Tech. Sgt. Daniel L. Zerbe, 28, of York, Pa.; Tech. Sgt. John W. Brown, 33, of Tallahassee, Fla.; and combat controller Staff Sgt. Andrew W. Harvell, 26, of Long Beach, Calif. All three Airmen were assigned to the 24th Special Tactics Squadron, Pope Field, N.C.
"This crash leaves us in AFSOC with heavy hearts," said Lt. Gen. Eric Fiel, AFSOC commander. "My deepest sympathies extend to the families of our fallen brethren and to their teammates. As we remember their sacrifice, we will press on and continue to provide unparalleled air support to our combatant commanders."
The following sailors assigned to an East Coast-based Naval Special Warfare unit were killed:
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, Texas,
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, Mich.,
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, Pa.,
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., and
Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL) Jason R. Workman, 32, of Blanding, Utah.
The following sailors assigned to a West Coast-based Naval Special Warfare unit were killed:
Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL) Jesse D. Pittman, 27, of Ukiah, Calif., and
Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 2nd Class (SEAL) Nicholas P. Spehar, 24, ofSaint Paul, Minn.
The soldiers killed were:
Chief Warrant Officer David R. Carter, 47, of Centennial, Colo. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 135th Aviation Regiment (General Support Aviation Battalion), Aurora, Colo.;
Chief Warrant Officer Bryan J. Nichols, 31, of Hays, Kan. He was assigned to the 7th Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment (General Support Aviation Battalion), New Century, Kan.;
Sgt. Patrick D. Hamburger, 30, of Lincoln, Neb. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 135th Aviation Regiment (General Support Aviation Battalion), Grand Island, Neb.;
Sgt. Alexander J. Bennett, 24, of Tacoma, Wash. He was assigned to the 7th Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment (General Support Aviation Battalion), New Century, Kan.; and
Spec. Spencer C. Duncan, 21, of Olathe, Kan. He was assigned to the 7th Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment (General Support Aviation Battalion), New Century, Kan.
There will be a private memorial for the Airmen at Pope Field, N.C. today. Media will not be invited to attend. There are no details on funeral arrangements at this time. For more information, contact Air Force Special Operations Command public affairs at 850-884-5515.
(Compiled from DOD and Air Force Special Operations Command releases)
Comments
8/17/2011 2:18:44 PM ET God Bless you all who serve and may you rest in the arms of the angels. We thank you and you will forever be hero's in our hearts.
c-Wedhorn, Florida
8/15/2011 3:55:42 PM ET My prayers go out to all the families involved in this tragic incident. May they find strength and support in this time of great despair. Rest in peace brothers may angels lead you in.
Lt Demers, Goodfellow AFB Tx
8/15/2011 11:02:56 AM ET Prayers and thoughts go to all of the familes.
SSgt Hendricks, Robins AFB
8/15/2011 5:05:09 AM ET I would never say these men died for no reason. They were brave men doing what their country asked of them. I salute them. Though I did not know them I am proud of the men they were. I am honored to serve in the same military. But I beg of the DoD to consider the necessity of sending these men to a war zone where there is little hope for true victory. Let's allow men like this to serve their country in their country in defense of their country and not to advance a politician's political pull.
KG, Colo
8/14/2011 2:05:58 AM ET For those who fought, for those who conquered, and for those who were guardians of freedom, may God shine his powerful light among your souls and forever keep your names and efforts in the minds of those who are still here. christopher s. gonzalez future a.f. airmen jax fl
c.s.gonzalez, jax fl
8/13/2011 4:42:55 PM ET Rest in peace, my brothers. God be with you. Bob Rivard. USAF Vet. 1967-1971
Bob Rivard, Michigan
8/13/2011 10:32:43 AM ET My sympathy to the family and friends of these remarkable people.
Sue, London England
8/12/2011 2:46:56 PM ET Rest in peace my brothers....
RMA, SA
8/12/2011 12:38:32 PM ET My utmost graditude goes out to these brave men. My prayer is that you enjoy all the promises of heaven and that your families can take some small solace in knowing that we will never ever forget you or the sacrifice you so selflessly made for us, your fellow Americans. Rest peacefully gentlemen. Watch us from above and know we will not forget.
KS, WPAFB
8/12/2011 9:36:10 AM ET My God bless the families. You are in our prayers
TSgt Michael Combs, JBB Iraq
8/12/2011 3:24:26 AM ET My thoughts and prayers go out to the families and loved ones of all these fallen brothers and sisters at arms. This is very disheartening.
SSgt Jones, Kunsan AB ROK
8/12/2011 3:06:44 AM ET My heart breaks for the families of these brave warriors. May your sacrifice be honored by all Americans.
Sharon B, NC
8/11/2011 9:59:11 PM ET Here's a toast...
Mike, Hurlburt Field FL
8/11/2011 5:41:06 PM ET Gentlemen--thank you. Thanks for serving this great nation and for allowing us back home to enjoy the Freedoms you were expertly protecting. We will not forget your efforts.
James, Washington DC
8/11/2011 4:56:54 PM ET I am truly sorry for the families of these brave service members.
