31 American Troops Killed in Afghan Helicopter Crash, Single Deadliest Incident Since War Began
- Posted on August 6, 2011 at 7:21am by
Madeleine Morgenstern
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Afghan President Hamid Karzai said 31 American troops and seven Afghani soldiers were killed when a helicopter, similar to the one shown, crashed Saturday. (AP File Photo)
UPDATE: WASHINGTON (AP) — A senior administration official says the helicopter that crashed Saturday carrying 31 U.S. special operations forces, including 25 Navy SEALs, and seven Afghan soldiers was apparently shot down by insurgents in Afghanistan.
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — A helicopter crash in Afghanistan’s eastern Wardak province killed 31 U.S. special operation troops and seven Afghan soldiers, the country’s president said Saturday. It was the highest number of American casualties recorded in a single incident in the decade-long war.
President Hamid Karzai sent his condolences to President Barack Obama, according to a statement issued by his office.
“A NATO helicopter crashed last night in Wardak province,” Karzai said in the statement, adding that 31 American special operations troops were killed. “President Karzai expressed his deep condolences because of this incident and expressed his sympathy to Barack Obama.”
The Taliban claimed to have brought the helicopter down with a rocket attack, but they have been known to make exaggerated claims in the past.
NATO confirmed the overnight crash and said there “was enemy activity in the area.” But it said it was still investigating the cause. The alliance was conducting a recovery operation at the site, it said, without releasing details or a casualty figure.
“We are aware of an incident involving a helicopter in eastern Afghanistan,” said U.S. Air Force Capt. Justin Brockhoff, a NATO spokesman. “We are in the process of accessing the facts.” The helicopter was a twin-rotor Chinook, which are used for transport, said an official at NATO headquarters in Brussels, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the press.
The helicopter crashed in the Sayd Abad district of Wardak province, said a provincial government spokesman, Shahidullah Shahid. The volatile region borders the province of Kabul where the Afghan capital is located and is known for its strong Taliban presence.
Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said in a statement that NATO had attacked a house in Sayd Abad where insurgents were gathering Friday night, killing eight fighters. The Taliban then downed the helicopter. he said.
In June 2005, 16 American troops were killed when a U.S. helicopter crashed in eastern Kunar province after apparently being hit by a rocket-propelled grenade.
Aircraft crashes are relatively frequent in Afghanistan, where insecurity and difficult terrain make air travel essential for coalition forces transporting troops and equipment.
There have been at least 17 coalition and Afghan aircraft crashes in Afghanistan this year. Most of the crashes are attributed to pilot errors, weather conditions or mechanical failures. However, the coalition has confirmed that at least one CH-47F Chinook helicopter was hit by a rocket propelled grenade on July 25, injuring two crewmembers.
Meanwhile, NATO troops attacked a house and inadvertently killed eight members of a family, including women and children, in the southern Helmand province, an Afghan government official said Saturday.
NATO said Taliban fighters fired rocket propelled grenades and small arms at coalition troops during a patrol Friday in the Nad Ali district. The troops fired back, and as the fight escalated an aistrike was called in against the Taliban position, said Brockhoff, the NATO spokesman. He said NATO sent a delegation to meet with local leaders and investigate the incident.
Nad Ali district police chief Shadi Khan said civilians died in the bombardment but that it was unknown how many insurgents were killed.
Helmand, a Taliban stronghold, is the deadliest province in Afghanistan for international troops.
NATO has come under harsh criticism in the past for accidentally killing civilians during operations against suspected insurgents. However, civilian death tallies by the United Nations show the insurgency is responsible for most war casualties involving non-combatants.
Also in the south, NATO said two coalition service member were killed, one on Friday and another on Saturday. The international alliance did not release further details.
The deaths bring to 334 the number of coalition troops killed this year in Afghanistan, and 11 this month.
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Comments (186)
Mambypamby111
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 8:49am“What Price Glory Captain Flagg?”
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 8:47amThose men were some of the very best this country has produced. I mourn for their loss and pray for their families. God bless America.
Report Post »Secret Squirrel
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 8:58am.
Report Post »Tell me again why we’re still there?
10 years and it’s still in the 12 th century.
That whole slab of rock isn’t worth one more American life.
The Afghans don’t care !
100 yrs from now we’ll be saying, “We’re making progress.”
GET OUT NOW, save America.first.
Beeree
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 9:15amI grieve their loss and pray for their families also. I pray God would protect all our men and women in harms way and bring them home quickly.
Report Post »Wee Cho
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 9:42amA crappy day in a crappy war in a crappy so called country.
Report Post »rabblechat
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 10:13am@Tech you say victory is in sight, exactly what will Victory in Afganistan look like?
You say anyone the questions our participation in these wars is a traitor; I say anyone that doesn’t question the loss of so much blood and treasure is a traitor.
We owe it to our warfighters to ensure that they are only put in harms way when absolutley nessisary. As for protecting the constitution; you dont need to leave the borders of America to find those which are attacking the constitution and our rights.
Report Post »John 1776
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 10:19amFeels like Obama has brought back the Carter Curse.
Report Post »Jack2011
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 10:32amWe are there because we are patsies. We will go bankrupt in Afghanistan just like the USSR did.
Report Post »The Big Pickle
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 12:58pmPractically the entire SEAL TEAM 6 killed. That is the SEAL TEAM that killed Bin Laden.
Tragic beyond words.
Report Post »The Big Pickle
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 1:04pmIt’s my belief the only reason we are in Afghanistan and Iraq is because they flank Iran from the east and west. Expect an all out world war in the middle east before the next election.
Report Post »My Two Cents
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 1:13pmAfter the bin Laden raid these guys should have been brought home and presented to the nation as the heros that they are. Instead, they will come home draped in our flag. They deserved better as do all of our troops.
Report Post »techengineer11
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 1:34pmThe Big Pickle: I believe your assessment into why we are there is correct. I’m also very concerned about an invasion of Iran especially in light of the deteriorating economy. Nothing like a War to take the attention off of our failing economy.
On the other hand I don’t agree with your carpet bombing of the Taliban and killing their women and children. Why are you angry at the Taliban? Remember we went there to rid the country of Al Qaeda. That was accomplished a long time ago. We should have left soon afterwards but we stayed and we are now occupiers. In the past year or two we have decided to demagogue and declare war on the Taliban. What do you expect the Taliban to do when foreign soldiers are occupying their nation? How can you be angry at them for desiring to rid their nation of an invader?
Now the deaths of these soldiers is tragic and horrible. I detest it. I wouldn’t sacrifice the blood of a Cockroach in Afghanistan Iraq Iran Syria Libya or Israel! We need to get out of the Middle East period but the Apartheid won’t allow it because they must put the interests of Israel over the interest of the average American tax payer or soldier. Don’t join these wicked souls in demonizing the Taliban. I’d be willing to bet that if you had the opportunity to take out a few dozen foreign soldiers occupying America, you’d be game? Let’s get out.
Report Post »dmerwin
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 3:59pm@techengineer
Report Post »We need to pull off the gloves and have realistic rules of engagement with massive retaliation. The only thing these folks understand and respect is power. ROE should be a leaflet drop that states (oops won’t work, they can’t read). Radio broadcasts and patrols to all villages with the message.
1. If we take fire we will return it with overwhelming force.
2. Civilians should leave areas with armed insurgents or risk their fate.
Pretty simple.
ying
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 12:05amHow do you know for sure that these men even existed to begin with? How do you know for sure that the videos you have seen of some of these men even were photographed at the appropriate date? There is no body of bin Laden to prove his death, and now there are no killers?! Even if it *did* happen, how do you know they are really dead? This, to me, is just as much a scam as that congress woman who was *supposedly* shot outside a grocery store, and now conviently passing laws concerning carrying weapons near a public official.
Report Post »pschlentz
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 1:21amLet’s all give a big hand to Biden, then Obama for releasing info on the team responsible for the assassination of Osama!
Retribution? It would have never been a question if those two bozos weren’t so hungry for glory and a bump in their polling numbers. Does the term clandestine operation mean anything to these guys?
Announce to the world it was Seal Team 6 then conduct joint Special Forces operations with Afghanies when we know they have security problems with the Taliban? What a cluster!
I am so pissed off! What next?!
Report Post »Lux
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 3:08am@ Secret Squirrel, The Big Pickle, techengineer11.
Unfortunately the only way we will ever win the war in Afghanistan is by destroying Al Qaeda’s ability to train and recruit. And with safe havens for them to do just that in neighboring Pakistan and Iran that will be close to impossible. To win the war on terror we will have to take the no BS approach… that is if you’re not with us you’re against us. It’s us or them people, kill or be killed. And those countries that harbor terrorist need to know we mean business! UN sanctions will not work… the only thing they will understand is a size 12 made in America boot up the ___. If we are to win we have to hold the countries harboring these degenerates just as responsible.
Report Post »techengineer11
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 11:47amtechengineer11
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 9:33am
Secret Squirrel:
Too many are not seeing the sarcasm. I’m 100% totally against these insnane Wars. A complete waste of American blood and treasure!
Report Post »YANKEE216
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 12:42pmMaybe in Nov of 2012 the insanity will stop. Bring our boys home, and lay the place waste
Report Post »4truth2all
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 4:54pmTo techengineer11 You lost me! In one post you say no time to run. In your next post you say run. I’m I missing something?
Report Post »johnannegalt
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 8:08pm:( RIP.
“The number of US casualties has been on a steady and disconcerting climb over the last several months, in what can be taken as a signal of the growing threat from this nearly invincible enemy. Our own rules of engagement may have come to be the cause of more battle casualties in Afghanistan than any other single factor. One may wonder, given our catch-and-release policy, if the insurgents responsible for this shoot-down may have been in our custody before. It’s a shameful reminder of why most liberals who have come of age since WWII should never be entrusted with the nation’s defenses, or at the top of the military chain of command. In this time of grief over our fallen heroes, let us dedicate a moment’s reflection to the purpose of reducing the number who will surely join them.” –M.A.
http://markamerica.com/2011/08/07/rules-of-engagement-betraying-our-troops/
Report Post »hempstead1944
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 8:47amMilitary doesn’t put 40 troopers in one helicopter……this one doesn’t pass the smell test.
Report Post »Secret Squirrel
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 9:03am.
There weren’t 40 soldiers.
There were 31 brave American fighters, and 7 Afghans.
Along with the fearless crew.
A Chinook could easily carry that many.
Report Post »String Bean
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 9:05amHEMPTEAD1944
YOU are what doesn’t pass the smell test by not knowing WTF you are talking about.
You’re just another know-it-all dipwad looking for a conspiracy.
Report Post »highcarry
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 12:49pm11:47 in arkansas, saturday. fox news is saying that the forces on board the heli were from SEAL TEAM 6. no swiftboating barry in 2012.
Report Post »Navyveteran
Posted on August 8, 2011 at 1:31pmI agree Hemp, I have a feeling this is a setup by the administration. Kill the team that supposedly killed his best friend UBL. Something doesn’t smell right at all here. I wished I knew what it was but for my fallen shipmates may God give comfort to the family members to all that have, are, and going to be slain in this war.
Report Post »RugDog
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 8:44am*ENOUGH!* Pull our troops out and nuke those rag heads!!
Report Post »rose-ellen
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 10:07amNavy seals? Osamas’ revenge!
Report Post »John 1776
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 10:24amIt isn’t the wars that kill us, it’s the “rebuilding process.” I hate to sound so blunt, but why not just go over, do your thing, then come home. If the reconstitute, blow them up again. It’s this hanging around until the snakes in the grass get us that has cost us so many lives in both wars.
Report Post »NHwinter
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 2:50pmRose-Ellen, if that were true we then have the right to go kill 1000′s of muslims for the Twin Towers attack. Why are you in America? Why are you on the Blaze? Do you just get a kick out of inciting arguments? Pathetic is the only word for your distorted reasonings on so many subjects.
Report Post »sebas
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 6:06amilove you taliban ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh i’m happer:p
Report Post »mikee1
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 8:43amThis is another tragic example of what happens in a PC WAR. They would put Patton in prison today, or he would never be in the ARMY AT ALL. These are your DUMMYCRAPS AND RINOS AT WORK. THE MILITARY SHOULD REVOLT. WE NEED A MILITARY COUP, AIDED BY THE AMERICAN POLICE. They are the people suffering the most for the SINS OF THE POLITICIANS. COMMUNIST COUNTRIES ARE FAMOUS FOR MILITARY COUPS. AND YOU ARE LIVING IN A COMMUNIST COUNTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. THE RULING CLASS IGNORES THE VOTERS AND THEIR WILL. They must be stopped.
Report Post »BulldogO6
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 9:26amSeditious language; you’re over the line.
Report Post »progressiveslayer
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 9:58am@bulldog06 It’s in the declaration of independence: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.
That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object, evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.
Report Post »Charles
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 10:20amI agree. A military coup is required and the only hope. If you want to define sedition you will find yourself describing our leaders in Washington especially those occupying the White House.
Report Post »Jack2011
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 10:38amA lot of American police are CORRUPT.
They are pulling people over for traffic violations and stealing (law approved) any money or things of value in your car and then downloading every passenger’s cell phone information into their hand held devices AND they are now taking IRIS (eye) pictures of people on the streets minding their own business and loading THAT iris information (which is as good as a fingerprint) into their computers. They are putting tracking devices on cell phones, cars, computers, anything and everything and if you find out about it YOU cannot tell your wife or your lawyer because YOU WILL GO TO JAIL.
ALL OF THE ABOVE is being DONE WITHOUT A WARRANT TODAY!!
The police which vow to uphold the constitution are violating it. Don’t look to the police to help. They will taser, shoot or beat you before they help you. They are part of the problem.
Report Post »Lloyd Drako
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 10:51amBy what stretch of the imagination is the US a Communist country today?
When has a military coup ever overthrown a Communist regime?
You don‘t know what you’re talking about.
Report Post »techengineer11
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 11:13amLloyd Drako: The US is absolutely a Marxist Nation and on its way to a Toltalitarian regime. I assure you that any coup imaginable couldn’t possibly do any more damage to the US Constitution then what the current Politicians have done thus far. It’s time for the Apartheid to come down.
The only reason we enjoy the similitudes of peace and prosperity today is because of the DEBT. Sooner or later the game ends and it appears that it’s going to be much sooner.. Then we shall see what sort of Gov’t we have today. lol
Report Post »Jack2011
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 11:24amLoyd Drako – NOT Communist state – we are becoming a FASCIST state.
NO WARRANTS NEEDED by Police to:
a Stop motorists for speeding & DOWNLOAD their cell phone info
b Scan the eye iris (like fingerprints) of anyone on the street & put in databanks
c Patriot Act allows police to GPS your car, bug phone, home , etc. without a warrant (against 4 amendment) WORSE if you catch them, YOUR freedom of speech (1st Amendment is gone) because by force of jail you canNOT talk to a lawyer or even your wife about the bugs/GPS even when YOU are the target.
d Cop scanner ‘crosses line’
http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1353264
e TSA (sky police) conduct warrantless gropes, cop feels & view naked images of both children & adults
Report Post »techengineer11
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 12:18pmJack2011: Please man.. stop repeating that. At the very least Facist were Nationalists and they wanted the best for their people. These bastards in DC are not Nationalists they are Jewish Marxist! Stop spreading that Glenn Beck BS!
Marxist Marxist Marxist! When Beck was covering this topic a year or so ago I knew that he’d confuse the hell out of people and that is exactly what he did. The simple truth is that primarily due to Jewish controlled Hollywood more than anything a Nazi is seen as more wicked and evil than a Marxist so some on the Right want to call those on the Left Nazis or Fascist. Why? I just don’t get it. Even at the height of Hitler or Mussolini’s regimes they were not near as Totalitarian as Lenin Stalin Mao or other Marxists. Not even in the same ball park.
So stop repeating the nonsense. We have been overrun by Marxist Jews the same as what happened in Russia and was attempted in Germany. They have succeded in taking down the US Constitution and perverting our Gov’t and they are Marxist Jews; not Fascist.
Report Post »MaggieRose
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 8:37amMy heart is breaking over this news… By the bountiful grace of God my child just returned from the sand box and piloting these beautiful birds. Rest in peace, heroes. We will NEVER forget your sacrifice. Father God bring Your peace to these grieving families. So, so sad.
Report Post »relayer24
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 9:13amI wish every American shared YOUR view…I do, and will…and thank you and yours for your selfless service to our nation.
Report Post »db321
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 9:15amAmen
Report Post »Want our country back
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 10:10amMaggie, thanks for your child’s service to this great country. You’re so lucky to be able to hold them close and tell them how much you love them. Pray for all the families that have lost their children, my heart is broken for them all. Hope we bring them all home real soon. God bless American.
Report Post »BurntHills
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 8:34amDear God bless all those mourning families, now and in the past. this is a total national tragedy.
we‘ve read obama’s pro-terroist rules of un-engagement have gotten more American troops killed in the last 3 years than in the war’s entire 7 yrs under 100% American President Bush.
Report Post »rose-ellen
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 10:16amYou loved those wars ten yrs. ago with your genoccidal fantasies dancing in your manipulated heads.Now reality confronts you [ain't no way your fantasies are coming true -but your elites knew how to manipulate you with war fever!].The reality on the ground is those people are in their homelands and will continue to resist invasion and occupation as is their ethical right!.The world does not belong to you and neither do its’ peoples. these seals signed up to go drop bombs on men women and children and for once it backfired on them!.My solidarity is with the men women and children getting their arms and legs blown off by the american invaders!
Report Post »BellaMia7
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 11:18amRose-Ellen is a vile troll of the Jane Fonda tradition, We are also spending billions on schools, and hospitals and energy plants for these neanderthals. We are educating women in Afghanistan. We are trying to build a civil society where none existed – look what we did for Japan – turned them from a brutal backward warrior culture to peaceful productive country – same with Germany.
Report Post »rose-ellen
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 1:47pmGermany and japan were ruled by a leader hence were regimes with a military. Once the leader surrendered so did the troops. Now we‘re ffighting not a leader with its’military but the people. When you shock and awe people your claim to want to build roads and schools is self serving hubris. Srop killing the people.! Till then they rightfully resist you!
Report Post »Penn
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 8:32amThe first thing that came to my mind was that this was no accident but the result of leaked information. More American lives wasted in a conflict that will never end. You cannot fight wars on politically correct terms nor with limited objectives. Hasn’t our government learned from Korea or Vietnam? We should have left Afghanistan as soon as Al-Qaeda was thrown out. The Taliban, even if they hated American presence in their country, understand the “tribal” law of blood for blood. Our war in Iraq was an even bigger mistake. Was there ever any actionable intelligience on WMD?
Report Post »Unfortunately, it is the American military and people who pay the price in blood and treasure. I pray for the souls of those who have died, the lives of those living, the families of those who have lost loved ones and those wounded in battle both physically and mentally. May God given them the strength to endure their adversities
techengineer11
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 9:12amThanks. I would only add troops on the ground were probably not needed at all in Afghanistan and we still have not addressed the “reason” which the Muslim world gives for the attack on 9-11 nor have we seriously considered moving our troops from the Middle East since the end of WW2 which is reason enough to provoke any attack upon our Homeland as awful as that may be.
If you have troops in America then I’m going to attack your ass sooner or later by any means possible. Why do so many Americans not understand this? I Hate Islam and I don‘t particularly care for Arabs either but my God we can’t put our troops in their lands and expect them not to retalliate until the troops are gone. So it’s a sort of circular reasoning.. Why are we there in the 1st place? We say because of 9-11.. Well they say because we arm Israel and that we’ve had soldiers in their lands since WW2. Personally I believe the Muslim people are correct. We need to get out of there! Not to mention we’re freaking broke in debt up to our freaking eye balls.. and and we’re dropping Million dollar bombs and flying million dollar missions to kill two or three Arabs?? OMG Insanity!!!
Finally the invasion of Iraq is simly a War Crime of the higherst order. There’s probably not a more cruel unjust event inflicted upon another country in the past 3000 years. All involved in decision making process should be on trial for War Crimes and pray that they would all be executed for the wickedness and evil whic
Report Post »BellaMia7
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 8:25amThe Obama Curse: everything he touches turns to cr@p. Change the rules of engagement, NOW! This is a huge wake-up call. Insurgents are alive today who should not be, due to our dangerous rules of engagement.
Report Post »LadyIzShy
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 8:23ammy prayers with these mens families. I agree its time to bring them home if we cant fight to WIN do not fight at all. I think our current president does not want to win, he like a weak America
Report Post »MommaRex
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 8:46amI agree with you 100%! This made me very sad and my prayers are with their families. And yes, it’s def time to pull our troops outta that hell-hole. Where’s the outrage from the anti-war Obama supporters??
Report Post »Juan Gault
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 6:18pmI wonder how many former military specialists will re-up, asap? Semper fi to our fallen brothers, may you
rest in peace,heroes everyone. God bless our troops and this country.
Report Post »bobcattf5
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 8:19amI hope that they have found the Peace that we all seek!!!! Most of US skill are seeking our peace!!! I will not forget you my brothers!!!
Report Post »orionreplay6607
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 8:09amIt is time to bring. our. boys. home.
Report Post »Jezcruzen
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 8:18amAgree. The are still over there only for one reason… “big wigs” are making a ton of cash by them being there.
Report Post »Oh… don’t it make you wonder where all those anti-war peace-niks went? You know, the ones who hounded Bush?
Sicboy
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 8:30amCan’t blame obama for everything. Bring them home. USMC 86-90.
Report Post »Cocheta
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 8:02amA sad day for our military. Our family’s prayers go forth to all the slain heroes and their families.
These are the kinds of things we will see more of because we let an emboldened enemy know our pullout timetable. Madness. My daughter will be packing out of there this year. I can’t happen soon enough.
http://www.vince4potus.org/ – An Alternative to Destructive Professional Politicians
Report Post »BellaMia7
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 8:26amOur son is headed to A-stan in a few months. Please call your representative to tell them to change the rules of engagement. Obama has hamstrung our military. Insurgents are alive today who should not be.
Report Post »MaggieRose
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 8:40am@Bella… my prayers to your soldier and family. Stay strong.
Report Post »sbleve
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 10:02amHamstrung is just the polite explanation.
ROE’s – rules of engagement. It is a product of some bureaucrat, and will result with higher KIA WIA of American troops. Helicopters have flight restrictions that have some advantageous purposes, while other aspects, like not allowed to ‘hose down’ ground fire, might be collateral damage’, create the very frequency that is sited. The ROSs currently in place do not allow ‘retaliatory’ hosing of slap-jack ground fire that mostly is perpetrated by ground combatants that have little chance of hitting their target but know from first hand experience that the Americana will not shoot back. ROE as currently structure have nothing to do with winning a battle, or for that matter reducing the slap-jack knee jerk of ground adversaries. Helicopters by the mechanical nature of such machines, do no need to deal with outside rock throwers.
Saved777
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 10:02amMy son is there on his second tour, Navy Corpsman serving along side special forces EOD, I panicked upon hearing the news, fell to my knees in deep prayer and tears, when I learned that it was Navy seals, it’s embarrassing to admit I felt a huge relief, especially when knowing their are 31 families that will bury their beloved son’s. God be with you through this devastating time.
Report Post »JJ Coolay
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 4:18amSaved…. nothing to be embarrassed about. You can’t do anything for those that loss, but you are grateful that you yourself didn’t have to experience such a loss.
Godspeed to our troops!!!
Bring them home.
Report Post »the58thstate
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 8:02ami love my bro’s. may god bless your familys.
Report Post »BellaMia7
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 8:01amIt’s the Obama Curse in full effect.
The rules of engagement have our guys so handcuffed, they see insurgents and are not allowed to engaged unless being fired upon. Lot of insurgents creating death and destruction who should be dead by now, but no.
Forget the hearts and minds campaign, takes the gloves off.
Report Post »Redistributor
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 7:59amAnd it makes me pissed when I hear stuff like this about the wars…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nD7dbkkBIA
Report Post »Bro Geo Too
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 7:49amPray for our fallen heros and their families. Pray also that our president repents. Since according to our him we are not at war with Islam.
The following is a very troubling video. Our commander in Chief is on the wrong side.
http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=tCAffMSWSzY#t=28
Report Post »TRILO
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 7:49amI will keep them in my thoughts and prayers. It is time to bring our men and women back home. I am tired of the endless wars and loss of life.
Report Post »SheriS
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 7:48amSadly another day of tragedy for the US—it seems that is all we get these days! Prayers go out to all the families of the great warriors who gave their lives for our country! So very sad!
Report Post »Realman30
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 7:47amPresident Barack Hussein Obama, will he address the nation on this loss of American life?
Report Post »Claymore Clacker
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 8:01amI don’t care if he does or not. I’m sick of constantly hearing him and tired watching him do his Mr Cool Breeze prez routine.
Report Post »BurntHills
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 8:39amcalling obama ‘president’ is the greatest insult to the American troops ever known. he deliberately tied their hands behind their backs out on the battlefield since Day One in his efforts to protect the terrorists.
where are all the anti-American communist creaming mimis who wanted to see 100% American President lynched just for being in any war with those terrorists. why are they totally so silent when obama keeps America bound and getting American troops killed unnecessarily.
Report Post »YepImaConservative
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 10:18amI’m still waiting for him to comment on the unprovoked riot by Blacks at the State Fair and telling them they acted…. “stupidly.”
Report Post »Lux
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 7:43amThank God for the many great men and women serving our country. And may He forever bless our troops, and their families for the sacrifice they have laid upon the alter of freedom.
Report Post »VintageAmerican
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 7:42amWords escape me. This is so tragic. Our prayers for their families and infinate gratitude to the fine men and women who serve in the Armed Forces.
Report Post »quicker
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 7:40amGod rest these most loving souls,Take them in your arms and comfort them.Give their familys comfort. These brave souls will not be forgotten .God bless.
Report Post »Bushie
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 7:37amEnough is enough, bring our troops home. I say the hell with those animals over there. If this is about oil, we have plenty of oil in our own country if only the as$hole in that is in the white house would let us get it.
Report Post »Bring them all home and place them at OUR boarders.
quicker
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 7:42amThere is no oil in Afghanistan.
Report Post »Applehead
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 8:03amGod Bless these troops! They and their families are in my prayers!
Report Post »YepImaConservative
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 9:41amA terrible way for a soldier to go (being killed in a flying tin can) without the opportunity to take some of the enemy with you… God rest their souls and my heart goes out to their families.
These Special Operators (Army Special Forces), along with the rest of our Military in Afghanistan and elsewhere around the world from all branches are a unique breed of American man and woman. They all join the Military for various reasons and carry the burden of our leader’s decisions which may result in the ultimate sacrifice for those men and women and their families.
Our Military goes where it’s told, fights where it’s told and sometimes die in regions of the world that many millions of Americans (mostly our young under 35) can’t fathom or could care less about.
America’s Military is the most underappreciated organization in our country, if not the world. A small percentage of Americans have helped and saved countless millions around the world regardless of the reasons which initially sent them there. Only a relatively small percentage of Americans over time can actually say they have truly served this great nation when and where it counted.
Yes, there are other Americans who proudly serve us in the civilian sector such as Police, Firemen and Women, Emergency Medical Professionals, Peace Corps type organizations etc… but that is a totally different discussion. Our Active Military and Veterans are the real superstars of this country and should be treated as suc
Report Post »YepImaConservative
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 12:06pmUPADATE: Seems most of the killed on that flying tin can were Navy Seals. A big blow to a small force of special Operators.
Report Post »Redistributor
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 7:25amRIP…my prayers are with them and their family.
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