Follow Newser on Twitter   Friend Newser on Facebook
Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

SEALs From Elite Unit Killed in Afghan Crash

They weren't the same men who got bin Laden, however

By the Associated Press

Posted Aug 6, 2011 11:40 AM CDT

(AP) – US officials tell the Associated Press that they believe none of the Navy SEALs who died in today's helicopter crash in Afghanistan had participated in the raid that killed Osama bin Laden, although they were from the same unit that carried out the bin Laden mission. In all, 30 Americans (the number has come down one since morning) and seven Afghan Army troops were killed in the crash. A source says the victims were thought to include 22 SEALs, three Air Force air controllers, the Afghan Army troops, a dog and his handler, and a civilian interpreter, plus the helicopter crew.

"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," said President Obama. "We will draw inspiration from their lives, and continue the work of securing our country and standing up for the values that they embodied." The Taliban has claimed credit for shooting down the chopper in eastern Afghanistan. If the numbers are right, it's the deadliest day of the war for the US.

File photo of a US Chinook helicopter in Afghanistan.
File photo of a US Chinook helicopter in Afghanistan.   (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus, File)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
My TakeCLICK BELOW TO VOTE
5%
5%
85%
1%
3%
1%
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 50 comments
MisterPlinkett
Aug 6, 2011 8:57 PM CDT
Staged!!!  Seal Team 6 died in the "bin laden" raid, but they needed to lie about the story and say they got bin laden and the mission was a success.  now, couple months later, much of the same team just happened to all be on one chopper and was shot down.
DeafDrudge
Aug 6, 2011 6:35 PM CDT
Waste of valuable lives - they had the best skills and minds of anyone. We should've put them all on the Mexican border to get rid of the illegals pouring into this country. We need to get the HELL out of the Middle East. Let them kill each other over there. Why are we even there anyway?
crafter67
Aug 6, 2011 2:07 PM CDT
Damnit! Who clicked hilarious?  Some things just should not be trolled about you loser.

Copyright 2012 Newser, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. AP contributed to this report.

More Newser Stories

NATO: Taliban Rocket Likely Downed Helicopter

Marines in Urination Video ID'd

Ticket to Peace in Afghanistan: Yoga?

Afghan Warlords, Insurgents Hired to Guard US Bases

US 'Funding Taliban Protection Racket'


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Timelines   |   Geek Sugar   |   Business Insider   |   HuffPost Entertainment