Memorial Day: Extortion 17

On this Memorial Day, I would like to pay honor and respect to the fallen warriors from Extortion 17.

In Afghanistan on August 6, 2011, a Chinook helicopter (call sign Extortion 17) was shot down, killing 30 US military servicemen, one US military dog, seven Afghan National Army commandos, and one Afghan civilian interpreter.

Overall, this event was the greatest single loss of life to US Naval Special Warfare in the Afghan War.

The 30 fallen US military servicemen included (among others):

• 17 Navy SEALs, including 15 DEVGRU (Naval Special Warfare Development Group) operators

• Four Naval Special Warfare support personnel: two EOD technicians, one cryptologic technician, and one information systems technician

• One military working dog handler

These Naval Special Warfare members were:

• Lieutenant Commander (SEAL) – Jonas B. Kelsall

• Special Warfare Operator Master Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) – Louis J. Langlais

• Special Warfare Operator Senior Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) – Thomas A. Ratzlaff

• Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) – Brian R. Bill

• Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) – John W. Faas

• Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) – Kevin A. Houston

• Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) – Matthew D. Mason

• Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) – Stephen M. Mills

• Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) – Robert J. Reeves

• Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) – Heath M. Robinson

• Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL) – Darrik C. Benson

• Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL) – Christopher G. Campbell

• Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL) – Jon T. Tumilson

• Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL) – Aaron C. Vaughn

• Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL) – Jason R. Workman

• Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL) – Jesse D. Pittman

• Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 2nd Class (SEAL) – Nicholas P. Spehar

• Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician Senior Chief Petty Officer – Kraig M. Vickers

• Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician Chief Petty Officer – Nicholas H. Null

• Cryptologist Technician (Collection) Petty Officer 1st Class – Michael J. Strange

• Information Systems Technician Petty Officer 1st Class – Jared W. Day

• Master-at-Arms Petty Officer 1st Class – John Douangdara

Warriors, I honor and salute you.

REST IN PEACE.

Note: If you would like to support members of the Naval Special Warfare community through charity, please donate to the Navy SEAL Foundation.