Day of Mourning for SEAL/Nightstalker Community

Froggy will be on the Hugh Hewitt show at 1720 PST 6/30/05

Preliminary reports from Reuters indicate that the helo crash that occurred in Afghanistan yesterday may have contained a large number of SEAL operators. No one is believed to have survived the crash. Details are scarce at this point, but multiple reports indicate that members of a SEAL platoon were aboard the Army MH-47 helicopter. If the helo was in fact an MH-47, then it is certain that the occupants were Special Operations Forces of some type. The MH-47 is only flown by the 160th SOAR.

My heart is pounding with anticipation for the names to be released. Considering that the crew of an MH-47 numbers from 5-7, that would indicate that as many as 12 SEALs may have perished in this crash. The loss of the Nightstalker aircrew is no less tragic, as the 160th and the SEAL Teams have a long history of cooperation and mutual respect.

I don't know what else to say. I am devastated by this news.

MSNBC Reports 8 SEALs were aboard the helo when it crashed (h/t Adele). That is an entire SEAL squad. This would be the largest casualty incident in SEAL Team history. In Vietnam, 5 SEALs died in a helo crash. I just got off the phone with my father-in-law who was in the Teams when that happened. This is a very sad day for the Naval Special Warfare Community, and I would ask that those of you who are able, will donate to the Naval Special Warfare Foundation and the Special Operations Warrior Foundation for the benefit of these families.

Interesting is the change of tone in the reports,

"We presume that all were lost," said a US official in Washington, who asked not to be identified, when asked if all those aboard - including elite US Seals Special Operations troops - had been killed in the crash.

I don't want to make any confirmations at this time, but all reports at this point are that there are no survivors. All we can do now is pray for mercy and for the families of the men involved.

THURSDAY UPDATE: I have been receiving quite a bit of disparate information on what happened, how many Frogs are down, who they were, and the family's notifications. At this point, I just want to express my deep sorrow at the loss of my comrades in the SEAL Teams, the Nightstalkers, and probably USAF CCT as well. No matter how you slice it, this is a terrible incident for US SOF across the board.

My understanding of events is that a reconnaissance element (SEAL or SF?) in the area was compromised by a large taliban force and requested assistance. That assistance came in the form of a Quick Reaction Force (QRF) comprised of at least a SEAL squad of 8 and perhaps a few extra guys who wanted to help out. Currently, USAF CCT operators are embedded with the SEAL platoons in OEF and there is reason to believe that one or more of these airman was aboard the MH-47 that went down.

Media reports and my sources seem to agree that the helo was struck by enemy fire of some kind, and managed to fly a short distance (less than a mile) away from the ambush site before succumbing to the damage to the aircraft. Media reports indicate that 7 operators remain unaccounted for at this time, and it is unclear as to who is being referred to. The crash site has been reached by other US forces (perhaps USAF PJs) and I am not sure about the fate of the recon team that called for support and whether they were able to evade capture or survive the attack of the larger taliban force.

One thing that I think is important to point out is the incredible bravery and heroism of the SOF operators involved here. Imagine being in a small group of operators reporting the activities of an enemy force 25 to 30 times your strength deep behind enemy lines. Well, our SOF operators don't have to imagine it, they do that every day. Imagine going in to rescue your embattled recon team facing 100 or more enemy fighters in a helo with 7 to 10 other SEALs in a high mountain pass in the middle of nowhere probably at night. Well, that's what my brothers were about to do when their aircraft took fire. Recognize that every one of these men know that if captured, they will be peeled like an onion by the savage heathen scumbags that it is their job to annihilate. Think about that.

I don't know about you, but as I wrote that, a chill went up my spine. While this incident is a terrible tragedy, it underscores the deep commitment of the American fighting man to defend this nation, and the incredible intrepidy of our SOF operators. This Independence Day weekend, take a minute and hoist a cold one for our boys. Because it is these men serving our nation around the world for the past 229 years that have made your BBQ possible.