Raleigh, N.C. â?? Three of the 30 U.S. servicemen killed in an Afghanistan helicopter crash last weekend were based at Fort Bragg's Pope Field, the Department of Defense said Thursday.
Tech Sgt. John W. Brown, 33, of Tallahassee, Fla., Staff Sgt. Andrew W. Harvell, 26, of Long Beach, Calif., and Tech Sgt. Daniel L. Zerbe, 28, of York, Pa., were killed when a rocket-propelled grenade launched by Taliban insurgents in eastern Afghanistan hit their CH-47 Chinook helicopter.
All three were assigned to the 24th Special Tactics Squadron.
"This crash leaves us in (Air Force Special Operations Command) with heavy hearts," Lt. Gen. Eric Fiel said in a statement. "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."
Twenty-two Navy SEALs, five soldiers, a civilian interpreter and seven Afghan commandos also were killed in the crash. One of the SEALs killed was Petty Officer 1st Class Christopher G. Campbell, 36, of Jacksonville.
The helicopter was transporting the troops to an ongoing battle early Saturday between coalition forces and insurgents in eastern Wardak province, near the capital city of Kabul, officials said.
The operation began as a search for a Taliban leader responsible for insurgent efforts in the Tangi Valley, officials said, and the helicopter was providing assistance to ground forces as they engaged several insurgents armed with rocket-propelled grenade launchers and AK-47 assault rifles.
American warplanes killed the Taliban rebels responsible for the attack during an air strike Monday.
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
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
Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL) Darrik C. Benson, 28, of Angwin, Calif.
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
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.
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.
Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 2nd Class (SEAL) Nicholas P. Spehar, 24, of Saint 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.
Spc. Spencer C. Duncan, 21, of Olathe, Kan. He was assigned to the 7th Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment (General Support Aviation Battalion), New Century, Kan.
Web Editor: Matthew Burns
Comments/Citation At least two airmen from Moore County were among 30 U.S. service members killed Saturday in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan, according to family and friends.
A third is believed to have lived in the area.
Tech Sgt. John W. Brown, Staff Sgt. Andy Harvell and Staff Sgt. Daniel L. Zerbe were all based at Fort Braggâ??s Pope Field â?? formerly Pope Air Force.
The Department of Defense this morning officially released the identifies the servicemen killed in the crash. The names of many of them had already emerged as friends and family members gave interviews to media.
Brown and Zerbe were both pararescuemen. According to the Air Force Special Operations Command, pararescuemen conduct conventional and unconventional rescue operations. Harvell was a combat controller, meaning that he coordinated air support with troops on the ground in hostile situations.
Brown, 33, is originally from Arkansas. He lived in Pinehurst with his wife. He was described by family and friends as a patriotic, athletic guy with a great sense of humor.
Brownâ??s mother, Elizabeth Herndon Newlun, of Rogers, Ark., told The Associated Press that she was upset but â??very proudâ?? of her son.
Harvell lived in Southern Pines with his wife. The Pilot has been unable to determine where Zerbe lived. He was a native of Red Lion, Pa., according to media reports.
The three airmen were part of a team that included Navy SEALS from the group that had just helped rescue an Army Ranger unit before their helicopter was hit by insurgents, according to Defense Deparment officials. The helicopter crashed about 60 miles southwest of Kabul.
Of the 30 U.S. servicemen killed in the crash, 25 were members of U.S. Special Operations Command, according to the Department of Defense.
The deaths were the largest loss of life for U.S. Forces in a single combat incident in Afghanistan. ------------ Rec'd 12 Sep 2011
TSgt sibus Information Related to your TWS Remembrance Profile #146444 Sir/ma'am, I had the honor of building SSgt Harvell's shadow box as well as providing honors for him. If you would like I can give you a full list of his ribbons that were used for his boxes for his family.
Email Address: nicksibus@gmail.com Phone: 909-215-8588 bronze star w/ 1 device purple heart defense meritorious service medal air medal w/ 2 devices joint service commendation air force commendation join service achievement combat action medal meritorious unit award outstanding unit award combat readiness good conduct w/ 1 device national defense medal Afghanistan campaign medal w/ 2 devices Iraqi campaign medal w/ 1 device global war on terrorism service medal air force expeditionary service ribbon w/ gold border air force longevity w/ 1 device nco professional military education ribbon small arms expert w/ 1 device air force basic training
Rated badges are as follows: Parachutist basic Halo combat diver (Army)
Hopefully this will help you with updating and his info. Also let me know if there is anything else that I can help with."
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