31 U.S. Troops killed in Afghanistan - UPDATED
UPDATE! This is Heartbreaking. Please remember the Navy SEAL community and their families. ~ Mellie
31 Americans, many from SEAL team 6, killed in helicopter crash
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KABUL, Afghanistan -- A military helicopter was shot down in eastern Afghanistan, killing 31 U.S. special operation troops, most of them from the elite Navy SEALs unit that killed al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden, along with seven Afghan commandos. It was the deadliest single incident for American forces in the decade-long war.
Dozens of U.S. Troops Killed in Afghan Chopper Attack
Published August 06, 2011
| Associated Press
AP
July 26: Afghan President Hamid Karzai speaks during a gathering with high ranking Afghan military officials at the presidential palace in Kabul, Afghanistan.
Kabul – 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.
UPDATE 1:
It Appears that many of the dead are Navy SEALs.
NATO copter shot down; dozens of U.S. troops killed
BY KEVIN SIEFF AND SAYED SALAHUDDIN, UPDATED: SATURDAY, AUGUST 6, 11:11 AM
KABUL — A NATO helicopter was shot down during an overnight operation against the Taliban in eastern Afghanistan, a U.S. official said. The crash appeared to be the deadliest incident for the coalition in the nearly 10-year-old war, killing 31 U.S. service members and eight Afghan troops, according to Afghan President Hamid Karzai.
The U.S. official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the matter, said the aircraft was most likely brought down by a rocket-propelled grenade and that many of the dead were Navy SEALs. The Taliban asserted responsibility for the crash, which occurred in Wardak province, just west of the capital, Kabul.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai said in a statement that the the Chinook aircraft had been operating in an area of heavy insurgent activity.
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