The Community Mourns Special Operations Personnel in Aviation Loss

On 6 August 2011 in Eastern Afghanistan, insurgents shot down a U.S. military helicopter during fighting, killing 30 Americans, including 22 SEALS, Air Force Combat Controllers and the MH-47 crew from the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment. It was the deadliest single loss for American forces in the decade-old war against the Taliban.

The downing, in which seven Afghan commandos were also killed, was a severe blow to the Special Operations Community, the war on terror and this Country. Apparently the MH-47 was downed with RPG's while it was taking part in a night raid on a Taliban compound in the province of Wardak, however the crash is still being investigated.

"Their deaths are a reminder of the extraordinary sacrifices made by the men and women of our military and their families, including all who have served in Afghanistan," a government spokesman said a statement.

All of Special Forces and that of the larger military Special Operations community add our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of those who perished.