military resistance 9h5 heaps of dead[1]

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AFGHANISTAN WAR REPORTS

Some Aspects Of The HelicopterDowning Raised Questions About

Whether The Insurgents Might

Have Had Some Inside KnowledgeOf The Raid
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


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The Taliban Quickly Specified TheNumber Of Troops Aboard The

Downed CH-47The Taliban And Other InsurgentGroups Have Had Some Success In

Infiltrating The Afghan DefenseEstablishment

August 7, 2011 By Laura King, Los Angeles Times [Excerpts]

In the rugged district of Wardak province where the U.S. Chinook helicopter crashedearly Saturday, apparently after being struck by a rocket-propelled grenade, NATO andAfghan forces engaged in daylong skirmishes with suspected Taliban fighters, accordingto Afghan officials.

The Taliban and other insurgent groups have had some success in infiltrating the Afghandefense establishment, and some aspects of the helicopter downing raised questionsabout whether the insurgents might have had some inside knowledge of the raid inWardaks Sayedabad district, jointly carried out with an Afghan commando force.

In their claim of responsibility, the Taliban quickly specified the number of troopsaboard the downed CH-47.

Mujahid, the Taliban spokesman, insisted that insurgent fighters had been lying in waitfor the Western troops.

Two Foreign OccupationServicemembers Killed Somewhere Or

Other In Afghanistan:

Nationality Not AnnouncedAugust 7, 2011 Reuters

Two foreign servicemember died following an insurgent attack in southern Afghanistan.


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At Least 3 Killed In Attack Had NebraskaTies

August 8, 2011 By Matthew Hansen, Omaha World-Herald

At least three of the 30 American troops killed in the deadliest attack of the Afghan Warare now believed to have ties to Nebraska.

Johnny Douangdara, a graduate of South Sioux High School and Navy SEAL doghandler, was aboard the Chinook helicopter that an insurgent pointed and fired a rocket-propelled grenade launcher at on Saturday.

The 26-year-old son of Laotian immigrants had fulfilled a teenage dream when he joinedthe Navy right after his 2003 high school graduation.

Matthew Mason, a Navy SEAL whose wife, Jessica, hails from Omaha, rode that same

Chinook helicopter. Badly wounded in the infamous Battle of Fallujah, Mason hadworked his way back into the sort of elite shape required by the elite military unit.

Yet another Cornhusker, Sgt. Patrick Hamburger of Grand Island, served on theChinooks flight crew. Hamburger had been in Afghanistan only since July, part of aGuard unit trained to fly the transport helicopters.

Friends Pay Tribute To Three KansasSoldiers Killed In Afghan Crash

Aug. 08, 2011 By Lee Hill Kavanaugh, The Kansas City Star

Army Reserve Spc. Spencer Duncan was a 2008 Olathe South graduate who at 21 lefthis Kansas family, his best buddies and his girlfriend because he wanted to serve hiscountry.

He wrote how much he loved his job as a door gunner on a Chinook helicopter. But healso told his friends that in the quiet amid the stark landscape of Afghanistan he missedthe Kansas sunsets, lying in a truck bed listening to the radio and cuddling with hissweetie.

Army Spc. Alexander Bennett, 23, had earned a reputation for his pranks on Marinesand soldiers, drawing eye rolls from older officers. After a 2009 deployment in Iraq, hemoved from the Tacoma, Wash., area to Overland Park to be a flight mechanic in theArmy Reserves Chinook unit at New Century AirCenter.

Piloting was Chief Warrant Officer 2 Bryan Nichols dream, something the 31-year-oldKansas City man wanted from the first day he saw a Chinook hoist itself gracefully intothe sky. He studied and became one of his units best, a rising star in its stable of skilledpilots.


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The men were among the 30 Americans and seven Afghans who died Saturday morningwhen their Chinook was shot down in Wardak province west of Kabul on a mission tohelp Army Rangers in a firefight.

The military released names Sunday, and families in the heartland and across the nation

felt the pain of war thousands of miles from the battlefield.

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Her smartphone is still counting the days until he was supposed to return: Two hundredand twenty-five days, 10 hours, eight minutes and four seconds, she said Sunday.

Andrea Miller, 19, cant make herself turn it off. That was when she and Duncan weregoing to reconnect.

She struggled to talk about the young man she adored.

Friends gathered at the home of Brittany Walsh, 19, whose father, Michael, has served33 years in the Army, nearly all with the Company B 7/158th Aviation Regiment.

Stories about Duncan rose faster than the tears sometimes. A teenage rebel, he lovedto go mudding in a rural area, spinning wheelies, tearing up grass. One night the boyswere caught, but Duncan told the farmer they were looking for a hat hed lost.

No, that farmer didnt believe us, laughed Aubrey Thomasson, 20, who joined the ArmyReserve because of his buddy. He will soon become a member of the 7/158th himself.

The friends are holding each other up through their sadness. Theyve visited Duncansparents, who didnt want to talk publicly about their son so soon.

Duncan has two younger brothers 15-year-old Calder and 18-year-old Tanner, who isin Marine boot camp. Spencer was going to surprise Tanner by showing up at hisgraduation, remembered Brian Bartels, 21.

The friends said that on Facebook Duncan wrote them how much worse the war wasbecoming.

The war in Afghanistan has sure become real to us now, Thomasson said.

The friends cried some more. Were so proud of Spencer and all of them over there,said Mikayla Dreyer, 20. When Spencer gets to heaven, hell say: Let me in. Ive been

to hell already.

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Kirk Kuykendall, 47, eased himself into a chair inside the hangar of the 7/158th onSunday. His right ankle is broken after a Chinook crash on June 25.

No one died in that one. But its memory is still vivid.


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Bennett was the crew chief for that flight. One of the pilots was Nichols.

Nobody should have walked away from that one, but we all made it out, he said. It wasan act of God.

Kuykendall and his wife, Anya, have often taken in younger reservists who arrive at the

unit. Bennett was like a brother to their daughter, Emily.

He isI mean, wasa fun, goofy guy, Emily said from a cellphone on speaker mode.Her parents fought back tears. Hed sit and just talk with me a lot on the backporch..This is surreal. For the first time in my dads deployments, this really feels likewar.

Bennett wanted to transfer to the Chinook unit after meeting Kuykendall in Iraq in 2009.

Kuykendall watched as the young man played jokes like hiding behind a corner andpopping an unsuspecting officer with an air gun. Yeah, he got in a lot of trouble for thatone, says Kuykendall. You could say he got a lot of butt-chewing and extra detail.

He once stole a division flag from an active-duty Army unit.

And there was that epic battle, he said, with the Marines over an extra large bench inIraq. The Marines stole it from us and Bennett stole it back, putting a lot of chains on it.Even the whole Marine unit couldnt take it back.

He laughed at the memory and quickly slipped into sadness.

Alex really matured, and in Afghanistan, he became a mentor. He wanted to serveanother tour there, too.

He was thriving.

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A lot of the stories about Saturdays attack have focused on the Navy SEALs who died,but those men werent alone on the Chinook.

We want people to know there were others on that mission, too, says Sgt. AndreaNorton, a unit administrator for Delta Company. For a few years, Nichols was hercounterpart administrator for Bravo Company.

Bryan hated the desk, she said with a little laugh. He gave it his best shot, but we all

knew he hated it.

He had three loves, his friends agreed: flying, driving his motorcycle and talking abouthis family. His wife, Mary, lives in Kansas City, but military officers said she declined totalk.

Nichols has a 10-year-old son. His friends cry knowing that his family is hurting.


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From the first day I met him, he set a picture of his wife on his deskhe probably hadone of her in his helmet, too, Norton said.

Nichols grew up in western Kansas and worked in another Army reservist unit inIndependence, but his heart was in the flying, she says.

He transferred and began lobbying for flight school. Officers in the 7/158th knew hewould make a good pilot.

They were right.

Theres one memory that Kuykendall cant shake: the crash they endured in June.

He remembers how the engines were screaming and everybody knew they were goingto crash. They were carrying 28 infantry troops just boys, they were so young, saysKuykendall.

The helicopter landed hard 9,500 feet up a remote mountaintop in Afghanistan with tall

timber all around and unknown enemy beyond that.

It happened so fast that Kuykendall said he didnt have time to think he might die.

But I can still see Bryan, so professional, helping all the injured. He and the other pilot,Buddy Lee, popped the doors off and helped all the injured. Bryan was calm andprofessional, remembering to zero-ize all the sensitive, secret stuff. Those two guysstayed with us all night, not leaving until everybody else was evacuated. And then theystayed with us all day, without any sleep, until they knew wed be all right.

Ill never forget that.

Nichols emailed him just last week. In two weeks he was coming back to Kansas City fora leave.

He planned to see his wife and son, visit Kuykendall and then drive to Minnesota to seeanother unit member recuperating in a hospital.

Things like that mattered to him. He was pretty special.

Two French Soldiers Killed In Tagab

Valley; Five More WoundedAugust 7, 2011 Zone Militaire

This Aug. 7, two French soldiers belonging to the 2nd Parachute Regiment Etranger(REP) Calvi (Corsica) were killed in a serious clash with insurgents during areconnaissance mission near the Tagab Valley, in Afghanistan.


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These were Corporal Kisan Bahadur Thapa and Legionnaires 1st class GerhardusJansen. Five of their comrades were wounded in the same event.

Metro Men Among Those Killed InAfghan Crash:

Spc. Spencer Duncan, Navy Seal MattMason Died Friday

August 8, 2011 KMBC

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Some men from the Kansas City area were among those killed in

Fridays fatal Afghanistan chopper crash.

KMBCs Marcus Moore reported that Spc. Spencer Duncan, 21, joined the military in2008 after graduating from Olathe South High School. Duncan was a member of BravoCompany, 7th Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment based at New Century AirCenter inGardner, Kan. He had been fighting in Afghanistan since late May.

Moore reported that he was serving as a door gunner on the CH-47 Chinook helicopterthat was hit by a rocket.

A friend said Duncan was very proud of the job he was doing.

"He really enjoyed it. I talked to him a few times about it when I was deployed," friendMatthew Oskvig said.

It did not take long for news of what happened to Duncan spread throughout Olathe andto fellow soldiers.

"People that did know him are already getting closer, talking about it, helping each otherout," Oskvig said.

Duncans family released a statement saying that they are proud of their sons serviceand asked for prayers for those who are serving for their families.

The other victims include 23-year-old Spc. Alexander Bennett, a door gunner whorecently moved to the area from Tacoma, Wash., and 31-year-old Chief Warrant Officer2 Bryan Nichols, a pilot from Kansas City, Mo.

Kearney native Matt Mason was also killed in the crash, according to friends.

Mason was a member of the Navys elite Seal Team Six. Mason was stationed inVirginia. He leaves behind a wife, two children and a third child on the way.


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"They did something most people wont do. Give them respect that they deserve for whattheyve done for their country," Oskvig said.

A former Bravo Company commander, Lt. Col. "Tank" Sherman, told KMBC 9s PeggyBreit that the other members of the unit are dealing with the tragedy as best they can.

"Theyre coping with it amongst themselves, but they know they still gotta go out thereand get the job done," Sherman said.

Another Chinook helicopter at the base will be used in a ceremony to honor the fallentroops.

Bravo Company members want everyone to know about the members who died, whichis why the memorial is open to the public.

"Were proud of what they did and we want people around here to know what thesenormal citizens that volunteer their own time, secondary job, they come out and do thisand when called upon and they go overseas and do everything that theyre asked to do,

and it comes back to the saying all gave some, some gave all," Sherman said.

Friends in Seals Unit Are Citys DoubleLoss

This undated family photo shows Chief Petty Officer Robert James Reeves, aShreveport, La., native who was killed when a U.S. Chinook helicopter crashed inAfghanistan Aug. 5, 2011. (AP Photo/Family Photo via The Shreveport Times)

August 7, 2011 By THOM SHANKER, New York Times [Excerpts]


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WASHINGTON They came from the same town, Shreveport, La.

They were high school friends.

Both men, Robert James Reeves and Jonas Kelsall, had overcome extreme tests and

rigorous training to serve on the same elite Seal team.

Both were assigned the same mission, and put in the same helicopter, only to perishtogether.

The helicopter crash in Afghanistan that killed 30 American servicemen over theweekend, including 22 members of the Navys most elite counterterrorism unit, broughtthe pain of a double loss to a Louisiana river port on Sunday.

Mr. Reeves, a chief petty officer who had turned 32 just days ago, was accepted forNaval Special Warfare training in 1999.

He passed the harsh winnowing process to qualify for Seal Team 6, the counterterrorismunit that conducted the raid into Pakistan on May 2 that killed Osama bin Laden.

He was always very gregarious, a star soccer and lacrosse player in high school, hisfather, James W. Reeves, said. It had never been obvious to me that he was going tochoose a military career. It is very difficult to make it on these Seal teams. But that waswhere he knew he needed to be.

Since his freshman year of high school, Chief Reeves had been best friends with Mr.Kelsall, who also enlisted in the Navy, tried out for the Seals and passed the trials to joinTeam 6.

He then chose the route of officer training, and had been promoted to the rank oflieutenant commander by the time the unit was sent into the rugged Tangi Valley ofWardak Province, just west of Kabul.

An investigation was under way on Sunday into the weapon used to shoot down theirChinook transport helicopter in a mountainous area of eastern Afghanistan.

All 38 people aboard were killed, including 30 Americans, 7 Afghan commandos and anAfghan interpreter. It was the single largest loss of American life in the Afghan war.

Over the course of his career, Chief Reeves had been deployed to war zones more thana dozen times in the 10 years since the attacks of Sept. 11, earning four Bronze Stars

for bravery and meritorious service, each with a V Device for valor.

The last time the family had seen him was during a Christmas reunion in Shreveport,and even then he did not talk about the specifics of those missions, in keeping with thehighly secretive nature of the Navy Seals. In triumph and in tragedy, members of theSpecial Operations community do not speak of their work.

In fact, many had expressed frustration with the jubilant atmosphere after the raid thatkilled Bin Laden, marked by fist-pumping and chest-pounding from some politicians and


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a few retired members of the Seals. Yes, going after High-Value Target No. 1 was asupreme tactical success; but, no, in this line of work, you just do not talk shop.

So it was not surprising that when the fate of Seal Team 6 was reversed on Saturday,there was only private mourning across the insular Special Operations community.

There is no more closely knit community than the Navy Seals, said Thomas W.OConnell, a former assistant secretary of defense overseeing Special Operationsforces, who also noted that all of the militarys secretive counterterrorism units developsuch amazingly tight bonds that cannot be easily comprehended by the average citizen.

While the downing of the Chinook, which also claimed the lives of Army and Air Forcepersonnel, will be a deep scar indeed, Mr. OConnell said that Special Operationsforces prided themselves on an unwavering commitment to the mission regardless of thehighs and lows of specific operations.

Trust me: they will continue on in the finest traditions of their respective services, Mr.OConnell said.

Virginia SEAL Killed In Afghanistan

This undated photo provided by the Vaughn family shows Aaron Vaughn of VirginiaBeach, Va. Vaughn, a 30-year-old father of two, was among the Navy SEALs killed in ahelicopter crash in Afghanistan Aug. 5, 2011. (AP Photo/Vaughn Family)


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Fallen Navy SEAL Was Special Kid

August 8, 2011 By Christine McConville, Boston Herald

The Hyannis-raised Navy SEAL killed Saturday in the deadly helicopter crash inAfghanistan was just a little boy when he decided to become part of the elite Navycommando unit.

By age 36, Kevin Houston had more than accomplished his goal. During his three toursin Afghanistan, hed earned a Purple Heart, two Bronze Stars and numerous othermilitary honors, a longtime Cape Cod friend said yesterday.

He died doing what he loved, said Chris Kelly of Osterville, a Vietnam veteran who wasa mentor to the younger Houston. And he wouldnt have done it any other way. He wentout to rescue his buddies, and he got shot down.

Houston, a married father of three, was among the 22 Navy SEALS killed when theirChinook transport helicopter was downed in a suspected Taliban rocket attack, alongwith eight other Americans and eight Afghan special forces in the coalitions deadliestincident in the decade-long war in Afghanistan.

Kelly, whose daughter went to school with Houston, said the commando was one of akind.

He was 61 with movie-star good looks, and a great personality, said Kelly, whoshared a love of military history with Houston.

Former Barnstable High football coach Paul Demanche recalled Houston was a talented

athlete who worked hard and valued his teammates.

He was a special kid, Demanche said.

Houston played on Barnstables football and basketball teams, and ran track, Demanchesaid.

In his senior year, he captained the football team.


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After graduating from high school in 1994, Houston joined the Navy, and eventuallysettled in Chesapeake, Va. His mother, who friends said raised Houston, his sister anda much younger brother as a single parent, moved there, too.

She was always there at his side. said Jasen ONeil, who knew Houston since fourthgrade. Houston made frequent trips back to the Cape to catch up with old friends and

swap war stories with Kelly.

The last time I saw him, he literally gave me the shirt off his back, Kelly said.

It was in early June, and the nation was celebrating Navy SEAL Team 6s raid inAbbottabad, Pakistan, during which Osama bin Laden was killed.

When I saw it said Navy SEAL Team 6, I told him I liked it, and he took it off, and gaveit to me, Kelly said. Thats the kind of guy he was.

Houstons mother and younger brother Craig, 19, could not be reached for commentyesterday. His sister Miranda died of cancer five years ago

Alessandro Sandrino Plutino, ArmyRanger From Pitman, Killed In

Afghanistan Monday

Sgt. Alessandro Plutino, a U.S. Army Ranger from Pitman, was killed in action inAfghanistan Monday.

August 08, 2011 By Jessica Driscoll, Gloucester County Times

Sgt. Alessandro Plutino, a U.S. Army Ranger from Pitman, was killed in action inAfghanistan Monday.

Alessandro Sandrino Plutino, 28, was in the final weeks of his sixth tour of duty as aU.S. Army Ranger when he was killed by enemy gunfire Monday in Afghanistan whileleading his fellow Rangers in an assault.


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Plutino a Rifle Team Leader in B Company, 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regimentaccording to the U.S. Army Ranger Association was serving his third tour inAfghanistan after serving three tours in Iraq.

He should have been out in March, but he left on this special mission March 7 hesaid he had to, said Plutinos mother, Dianne Hammond. He always wanted to be in

the Army. On his good-bye cake there was a picture of him at four years old with hiswooden gun and camouflage. He wanted to leave high school when he turned 18 toserve, but I wouldnt let him. Then when 9/11 happened, he tried to leave college, buthis uncle talked him out of it. After college, he signed up.

Hammond said she and her family spoke to Plutino Sunday night when he called toreassure them he hadnt been involved in Saturdays helicopter crash in which 30 U.S.troops were killed.

Twenty-two of them were Navy SEALs that were rushing to help Army Rangers who hadcome under fire.

Plutinos fiancee, Natalie Layton of Glassboro, said he seemed excited to come home.

Weve been together 10 years. We were supposed to get married next summer so wewere planning everything out, said Layton. He was supposed to be done in the spring,but he went on this mission. His country meant more to him than anything else. If it wasup to him he wouldve quit high school to go. He always said This is my calling.

Layton said Plutino was the strongest person I ever met.

We balanced each other out, said Layton. Im so vulnerable, and he was always thestrong one. When he loved something, he really put his mind to it. He loved his country,he loved his family, he loved all of us. And we couldnt have been prouder of him,

added Plutinos sister Brenna.

Hammond said, in addition to his commitment and patriotism, her son could beremembered as the kid who always had a smile on his face.

Even when he was very young, he could just walk into a room and capture it, saidHammond. He was special. And I know every mothers son is special, but he reallywas. People have been coming here to the house all day, his friends, his buddies fromthe motorcycle group he rode with. He loved to ride, he played football and wrestled, hewas an all-American boy.

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Friends, educators and local officials also reflected on Plutinos life Monday, recallinghim as an outgoing student, gifted athlete and all-around great kid.

This is a real loss to the whole community, said Pitman Mayor Mike Batten, whocoached Plutino in wrestling. Our police department went over to his mothers housethis morning and I plan to go over later today when I can get myself together. Sandrinowas an extreme hard worker, as evidenced by the fact that he was an Army Ranger, andhe was the best of what this country can put out.


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Batten said he knows Plutinos mother well and was a friend of his grandfathers.

Its a wonderful family and such a sad day for them, said Batten. Im going to ask thewhole town to fly their flags in Sandrinos memory.

Plutino, a 2001 Pitman High School graduate, is also remembered fondly by schoolofficials.

He was a Kindle student from kindergarten through fifth grade, and he was always fullof positive energy, said Kindle School Principal Fran Yearwood. He was a delight tohave as a student, and we loved his whole family. I know he was always very athleticand a leader on the playground, and he was just an energetic, enjoyable student tohave. This is just horrible news.

Pitman Schools Superintendent Patrick McAleer said Plutino and his sister were formerstudents of his when he taught at Pitman Middle School. He said Plutino was a nice kidwith a nice family.

Today, the entire town of Pitman is devastated by the news that Alessandro L. Plutino,a United States Army Ranger, was killed in action while proudly serving his country inAfghanistan, said McAleer, in a statement issued by the school district Mondayafternoon. His teachers and classmates will always remember Sandrino as a popularand outgoing young man who was always quick with a laugh or smile. He was acommitted student who also excelled as an athlete, participating in football andwrestling. The Pitman Public Schools and the entire Pitman community share in the lossof this dedicated and brave American. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Plutinofamily and the families of all those servicemen and servicewomen who are proudlyserving America.

McAleer noted that Plutino went on to wrestle at the collegiate level at Wilkes Universityin Wilkes-Barre, Pa. After graduating from high school, Plutino first attended college atWestern New England University in Springfield, Mass. Dave Stawasz, associate directorof media relations at Western New England University, confirmed that Plutino wasenrolled there from fall 2001 to spring 2003 and that he was a member of the universityswrestling and football teams. Articles from Wilkes University lists Plutino as a 2005graduate, but calls to the university were not returned by deadline.

Ed Campbell from the Pitman VFW said the news of Plutinos death was very sad.

He is the 40th young man Pitman has lost over the years in various wars, saidCampbell.

I dont know if another town our size has taken a bigger hit. Its so upsetting. I served inKorea and every loss is like a punch in the gut. I want to stop putting monuments to ouryoung people up in the park.

Campbell noted, and Councilwoman Debra Higbee confirmed, that Plutino was not thefirst in his family to be honored among those lost. Navy veteran and Pitman residentRobert D. Hammond an uncle of Plutinos mother was killed in action during WorldWar II in 1944.


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"I didnt believe it," Ratzlaffs nephew Jeff Adams said about his uncles death.

In town, flags are at half staff.

"Its just so difficult to process this because we are so fond of him," Ratzlaffs high schoolscience teacher, Bruce Culver said.

In the hours since his death, a flood of memories have rushed through the minds ofthose who knew U.S. Navy SEAL Tommy Ratzlaff.

"I got to shoot his sniper rifle," Adams said, "Ill never forget that."

"When it came to dissecting frogs, he was the best," Culver joked.

Every teacher in Green Forest had a Tommy story. And every tale ended with hischaracter.

"He met every challenge," math teacher Ivy Miller said. "When the work was difficult,

hed work harder than any kid in the class."

By the time Tommy was in high school, he was the star, middle linebacker on thefootball field. Everyone that saw him play knew he was destined for big things becausehe gave anything he had at everything.

"You could tell military was something he wanted to do," Culver said. "From day one wetalked about (being Navy SEALS) as kids," Ratzlaffs best friend, Kevin Disheroon said."It went by the wayside with me... no doubt with him."

Disheroon was Tommys best friend since Kindergarten. He says, two weeks after their1995 high school graduation, Ratzlaff was off to boot camp. One year later he was in

SEAL training.

"Pretty much on a daily basis I talked about him; thats how proud of him I was,"Disheroon said.

A boy from Green Forest was off to see the world and defend his country and leave amark on everyone he came to know.

"Hard to replace him," Disheroon said.

"He was a hero, I love him and Im going to miss him," Adams said.

U.S. Navy SEAL Tommy Ratzlaff will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery. The 34-year-old leaves behind a wife, two sons ages 11 and six and a baby on the way - adaughter in November.

He lived by one motto: "theres two ways to do things: do them right or do them again."His family says he told that to his boys all the time. Its a motto it looks like his family willhang onto as a way to pay tribute to Tommy.


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Parents Share Memories Of Son Killed InAfghanistan Chopper Crash

Aug 08, 2011 By Oscar Valenzuela, Hawaii News Now

Robert and Mary Vickers sat down at their home on Maui to share a few memories abouttheir son Kraig.

Kraigs father had coached his sons high school wrestling team where he excelled, andwasnt too surprised when their son told him and his wife Mary he had some news.

"He came home one day and informed us he had enlisted." said his mother Mary.

Not one to miss an opportunity for humor, Kraig showed his father a coffee mug that theNavy recruiter had given him.

"I said whats with this, you know the coffee mug? I signed up he said, if I sign up for an

extra year theyll give me another cup. He liked to make people laugh. I told him theresonly one class clown in this family, that was me but he out did me." said his fatherRobert.

But Kraig Vickers new job was no laughing matter. He had signed on to be a part of theNavys explosive ordinance disposal team, a bomb expert.

Robert Vickers explained part of what his son did for a living. "Part of his job was to setup the training for the Seals so he would go in and set up the booby traps and stuff likethat."

Kraigs father, a former Air Force man and Maui police officer, was not blind to the

extreme nature of his sons work but accepted it with pride and honor.

"Kraig talked about joining the military and to serve his country and for him it was Godfirst, his country and his family." he says.

Kraig Vickers mother notes how many more lives have been given serving in the militaryforces. "For all of those that were on that helicopter, every life was important, not just thisincident but all the ones before them." she said supported by her husband at her side."Serving your country to me is a privilege and an honor."


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Stamford Man Among Troops Killed InAfghan Crash

Brian Bill (credit: In memory of Navy SEAL Brian Bill/Facebook)

August 8, 2011 MICHAEL MELIA, Associated Press

HARTFORD, Conn. From his days as a student athlete at a Stamford high school,Brian Bill was clear on his career goal: He wanted to join the elite Navy SEALs.

Bill, who was among the SEALs killed in a weekend helicopter crash in Afghanistan, wasremembered Monday by friends and teachers as a dedicated young man who wanted tobe the best at anything he pursued.

"He set his standards high. He was that kind of person," said Kimberly Hess, a friendwho graduated from Norwich University in Vermont with him in 2001. "He wasremarkably gifted and very thoughtful. There wasnt anything he wouldnt do for you nomatter the time or day."

His family said he wanted to return to graduate school after completing his militaryservice and hoped to become an astronaut. He was also a mountaineer, a skier, a pilotand triathlete.

"We are heartbroken in our loss," the family said in a statement. "Brian was a remarkablygifted, thoughtful, and compassionate young man. We are incredibly proud of him. He

was a treasured son, grandson, brother, uncle and cousin. He loved life; he loved achallenge; and he was passionate about being a SEAL."

"We thank all the SEALS who gave their lives this week and share our sorrow with thefamilies of those dedicated men who fought for our safety and freedom," Bills motherand stepfather, Patricia and Michael Parry, and his father, Scott Bill, said in thestatement.


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The 30 U.S. troops and eight Afghans who died in Saturdays crash of the Chinookhelicopter were on a mission targeting a Taliban leader when an insurgent with a rocket-propelled grenade reportedly fired on the chopper and shot it down, officials saidMonday. It was deadliest single loss for U.S. forces in the decade-long war.

The helicopter was transporting the troops to an ongoing battle early Saturday between

coalition forces and insurgents in eastern Wardak province, NATO said in a statement.

Hess said Bill had been decorated many times for valor on deployments to Iraq andAfghanistan.

"His death is tragic and its really fitting that he was going to help others," she said.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy issued a statement extending condolences to Bills family.

Diane Warzoha, who had Bill as a student in a language class at Trinity Catholic HighSchool in Stamford, said he was in many ways a typical high school student who playedhockey and soccer, but it was no surprise that he fulfilled his goal of joining the SEALs.

"Brian just wanted to do his best, to protect other people. Brian wanted to be the best atwhatever he did. Challenge did not deter him ever," said Warzoha, an assistant principalat the school.

"Were deeply, deeply saddened. Our hearts and prayers go out to his family. Its just sosad," she said.

Tacoma Soldier Among 30 Killed In

Afghanistan CrashAug 8, 2011 By KOMO Staff & News Services

TACOMA, Wash. - A 23-year-old Army Specialist from Tacoma was among the 30American service members killed when their helicopter was shot down over AfghanistanSaturday.

Alexander Bennett was part of the crew who had rushed to help Army Rangers who hadcome under fire.

Bennett attended Foss High School and loved cars and the military, a family friend told

KOMO News. Jessica Hall said Bennett wanted to make a career of the military.

"I never met somebody that loved to do something as much as he did," Hall said.

She says Alex was always smiling, or joking.

"He was so selfless," she said. "He would give you the shirt off his back, he was a reallygreat guy."


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Edward Tuck shared a passion for cars with Alex. So often, the two were found underthe hood of a Honda talking about life, and Alexs military ambitions.

"He wanted to be a pilot," Tuck said.

And Bennett was on his way. After a tour in Iraq, he moved to the Kansas City area last

year, and was a Chinook flight mechanic in the Army Reserve. Then it was on toAfghanistan.

"He died doing exactly what he loved," Hall said. She says he loved fighting for hiscountry, even into that final mission. "Alex was a hero," she said.

A current and a former U.S. official said the Americans included 22 SEALs, three AirForce members and a dog handler and his dog. The crash was deadliest single loss forU.S. forces in the decade-long war.

All but two of the SEALs were from SEAL Team 6, the unit that killed Osama bin Ladenin Pakistan last May, officials said on condition of anonymity because they were not

authorized to release the information. None of the SEALs killed in the crash took part inthe bin Laden mission.

Eight Taliban fighters were also killed in the battle, Taliban spokesman ZabiullahMujahid said in a statement.

SEAL Killed In Afghanistan Has DuluthConnections

August 08, 2011 By: Brandon Stahl, Duluth News Tribune

Nicholas Spehar, who was one of 30 Navy SEALS killed in Afghanistan, has connectionsto Duluth.

Spehar is the son of Patrick Spehar, who grew up in the New Duluth area, according toBill Spehar, who is Nicholas Spehars great uncle.

Im so shook up by this thing, Bill Spehar said.

Immediate family members of Nicholas Spehar could not be reached for comment.

The Minneapolis Star Tribune is reporting that Spehar lived in Chisago City, Minn.

The 30 U.S. troops and eight Afghans were in a Chinook helicopter when it was shotdown.


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Hometown Mourns Iowa Navy SEALsAfghanistan Death

August 8, 2011 AP

ROCKFORD, Iowa When Jon Tumilson set his mind to something, he achieved it,becoming a Navy SEAL despite his battered knees and competing in endurance races toprepare for the arduous missions hed be sent on, neighbors and former schoolmatessaid.

Tumilson was a hero to some in his hometown of Rockford even before he and 29 otherAmericans died Saturday in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan during a mission to helpfellow troops who had come under fire.

Tumilsons father, George Tumilson, confirmed to The Des Moines Register that his son

was among those killed in the crash. He declined to comment further, and the familydeclined to comment to The Associated Press.

Neighbors, though, said they were heartbroken for the family, and said the town had lostone of its finest.

Jan Stowe told The Des Moines Register that the 35-year-old Tumilson "was going to bea Navy SEAL since I cant remember when."

"Hes like a hero to everyone here," Stowe said.

Another neighbor, Mark Biggs, told the Mason City Globe Gazette that those who knew

Tumilson were shocked by his death.

Said Biggs: "You just never thought it would happen to Jon. Hes done so manydangerous things."

Tumilson had been a wrestler in high school, and Stowe said Tumilson competed inmarathons and triathlons as part of his preparation for the dangerous and often arduousmissions he would face with the SEALS.

"When he did something, he put his all into it," said Stowe.

A friend of Tumilsons, Justin Schriever, told the Globe Gazette that Tumilson made up

his mind late in high school to compete for a spot on the elite SEALS.

"Hell, while training they were going to kick him out because his knees were all batteredup," Schriever said. "He wouldnt let them.

"He was a die-hard at everything," Schriever said. "Hed always go the extra mile oneverything. He wouldnt let anything stop him from accomplishing something."

Biggs said Tumilson loved his country.


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"He was willing to do whatever it took. He wanted to be there" with his SEAL team, Biggssaid. "That was his second family."

York County Once Again Dealing WithThe Loss Of A Servicemen

August 8, 2011 Reported by: Christina Butler, WHPTV

For the second time in two weeks the York County community is dealing with the deathof another fallen service member overseas.

Airman Daniel Zerbe was one of 37 people killed in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan.

Zerbe was a member of the U.S. Air Force; he graduated from Red Lion in 2001.

His family has asked for privacy, but others in the red lion community say his deathbrings the war that much closer to home.

The crash that killed Airman Dan Zerbe marked the deadliest single day for Americans inthe War in Afghanistan. 30 U.S. troops and seven Afghan soldiers died in the helicoptercrash.

The troops were targeting a Taliban leader when a rocket propelled grenade fired on thechopper.

Zerbe joined the military right after graduation from Red Lion High School, where he was

known as a popular kid. He played football and wrestled all four years while in schoolbefore graduating in 2001.

Its the second time in two weeks people in York County are mourning a fallen servicemember. Last week the Dallastown area lost Marine Sgt. Chris Wrinkle.

My heart just really goes out to the family, it could be a neighbor, someone you grew upwith, anybody, said Red Lion graduate Jenna Shearer.

Its terrible, its terrible, explained Dave Rinehart. These guys are over there givingtheir all for our freedom. Obviously when its in the community it hits a lot closer to home,it certainly affects you when it is people you know,

Still they say these losses just reaffirm their belief in how selfless our troops and thefamilies who love them, are.

Im very proud to know people who served and are serving, Shearer added. Theyarent here enjoying summer; they are over in sand carrying 50 pounds of gear to keepus safe.


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Its devastating, I cant even imagine as a parent thats just something nobody shouldhave to do. Rinehart lamented. Bury their child, its noble, but its just painful.

The Philadelphia area lost Petty Officer First Class Michael Strange, a 25-year-old NavySeal.

Funeral services for Zerbe have not been announced yet, but Tuesday the communitywill gather to mourn Sgt. Chris Wrinkle.

Eugene Native Killed In Action

Aug. 2 By Matt Cooper, The Register-Guard

A young father and former North Eugene High School student who became a soldier tosupport his family was killed Sunday in Afghanistan during a firefight, his family said

Monday.

Pfc. Brice Scott, 22, was a crack shot who continued a family tradition of military serviceextending several generations. He sought out action on the front line and died doing the

job he loved, family members said.

Scott, stationed at Fort Riley in Junction City, Kan., was a member of the Fourth CavalryRegiment, on his first tour of duty near Kandahar, a large city in southern Afghanistan.

Scott and his unit were in a rocky, mountainous area, a stronghold for enemy fightersconsidered the most volatile area of Afghanistan, said his mother, Carol Tripp, 39, ofJunction City, Kan.

You can count on getting into a firefight anytime you walk into that area, Tripp said.

Scott and two others were working a security checkpoint when they were ambushed byeight fighters. Scott was shot in the head and killed and another soldier was hit in thetorso before American troops killed the enemy combatants, Tripp said.

She said she was notified by military personnel on Sunday. A spokesman at Fort Rileydid not return a call for comment Monday.

A service for Scott is tentatively scheduled for Aug. 9 or Aug. 10 at the Ada Grange Hallin Florence.

I personally dont believe in the wars, but it was his life and his calling, Tripp said. I justhad to let him go.

Born and raised in Eugene, Scott was the baby doll of the family on whom relativesdoted, said his cousin, Sarah Hemple, 31, of Eugene.


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Scott was a student and football player at North Eugene High when he becameinterested in the Job Corps, a free federal education and training program that helpsyoung people find jobs.

He spent summers in Florence with a grandfather, 58-year-old Tim Robins, where Scottliked to ride the sand dunes in an ATV and tool around in his sports car, a Nissan

300ZX.

He met his wife, Dell, there and soon they were raising two girls, Celina and Mia, now 3and 1, respectively.

After training at a Job Corps site in Yachats, Scott got a degree in carpentry in 2006through the organization and worked as a carpenter in Newport and Albany, beginninghis climb up the career ladder, Robins said.

But he lost his job about two years ago in the economic crash, and to support his familyhe turned to another career that had long interested him: the military.

Described by his grandfather as a tall, good-looking young man, Scott grew up playingpaintball and other war games, and was virtually unbeatable at the simulation-shootervideo game, Halo. In the Army, he became an excellent marksman, Robins said.

Scotts military lineage includes more than a half-dozen ancestors and relatives whohave served overseas with distinction, said his father, Steven Scott of Florence, 44, aformer tank commander.

Brice was a super soldier, Steven Scott said. He did what he was supposed to do. Hedid it in an outstanding fashion, and he lived up to the expectation of all of us who havegone before.

Brice Scotts tour of duty started in March and he was last stateside in May, for a two-week visit with his wife and daughters in Kansas.

For a young man, he was the best father Id ever seen, Steven Scott said.

Hemple choked back tears Monday as she described a recent exchange with Scott onFacebook, the online social media network, while he was serving abroad.

In response to a comment by Scott that explosions were going off as he was typing at acomputer keyboard, Hemple said he should have gone into the military to be a cook.

Scotts Facebook reply: I joined the Army first and foremost to support myself and

family, but I am not someone that can sit behind a desk all day. This is the best job in theworld, I dont care what anyone says.

WNY Native Injured In Afghanistan

Aug 8, 2011 WGRZ & By Ed Reilly WKBW


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BUFFALO, N.Y. - A Western New Yorker was seriously wounded in an attack inAfghanistan. Green Beret Matthew Kreiger, 25, was shot in the head by insurgentssometime Sunday.

One of the bullets entered the side of Matthew Kreigers head knocking him to theground and leaving him unable to move his arms and legs.

Chris Kreiger, Matthews brother, says they dont know the extent of his brothers injuriesbut told 2 On Your Side the bullet is lodged in Matthews brain. But Chris said he spokewith Matthew on the phone Monday and though he was hard to understand at times, hewas in good spirits.

The 25 year-old enlisted in the Army in 2004. He was deployed to Iraq a few years agoand was only in Afghanistan eight days when he was shot on Sunday.

Chris says, Matthews wife spoke with her husband just before he was sent on his latestmission.

"She had just talked to him earlier that day through Skype and he just had this awful lookto him that she couldnt figure out," said Chris Kreiger.

"She said she never saw this look before. He had told her that if something happens tohim while hes there just dont be mad; just realize that he died doing what he loved."

Chris, also an Army veteran, was injured in Iraq a few years ago himself. He has sinceset up the group "Western New York Heroes" to help veterans and their families withbills and benefits. But he never thought his brother would be one of those he would behelping.

Matt Krieger has a wife and two young daughters. They live at Fort Bragg, North

Carolina.

In an update late Monday afternoon, Chris updated his Facebook page saying; "Matthewis up and moving around". He also wrote, "Chances are they could do more harm tryingto remove the bullet rather than leave it in."

POLITICIANS CANT BE COUNTEDON TO HALT THE BLOODSHED

THE TROOPS HAVE THE POWER TOSTOP THE WARS


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REALLY BAD PLACE TO BE:ALL HOME NOW

U.S. Marines of Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines check a dug-out in theGarsmir district of Helmand province, southern Afghanistan, July 7, 2011.REUTERS/Shamil Zhumatov

U.S. Marines with the 3rd Battalion 2nd Marines based in Camp Lejeune, N.C., during afire fight in the village of Salam Bazaar July 20, 2011 in Helmand province, Afghanistan.(AP Photo/David Goldman)


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Second Foreign Military HelicopterCrashes In Afghanistan

August 08, 201 Reuters

Kabul: A foreign military helicopter crashed in Afghanistans east on Monday but therewere no apparent casualties, officials said, another stark reminder of the dangers of thewar after 38 people were killed in an air incident, the largest single loss for foreign forcesin 10 years.

The helicopter had made a "hard landing" in Paktia province, a volatile area inAfghanistans southeast, another official said.

An investigation was underway but it appeared there was no enemy activity in the areaat the time.

MILITARY NEWS

THIS IS HOW OBAMA BRINGS THEM HOME:ALL HOME NOW, ALIVE

The remains of Sgt. Anthony Del Mar Peterson Aug. 5, 2011 at Dover Air Force Base,Del. Peterson, 24, of Chelsea, Okla., died Aug. 4 in Paktia province, Afghanistan ofwounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit with small arms fire. (APPhoto/Steve Ruark)...


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Troops Invited:Comments, arguments, articles, and letters from service menand women, and veterans, are especially welcome. Write to Box126, 2576 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 10025-5657 or send email [email protected]: Name, I.D., withheld unless yourequest publication. Same address to unsubscribe.

DANGER: POLITICIANS AT WORK

DO YOU HAVE A FRIEND OR RELATIVE IN THEMILITARY?

Forward Military Resistance along, or send us the address if you wish and

well send it regularly. Whether in Afghanistan, Iraq or stuck on a base inthe USA, this is extra important for your service friend, too often cut offfrom access to encouraging news of growing resistance to the wars, insidethe armed services and at home. Send email requests to address up top orwrite to: The Military Resistance, Box 126, 2576 Broadway, New York, N.Y.10025-5657. Phone: 888.711.2550
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]


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CLASS WAR REPORTS


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IF YOU DONT LIKE THE RESISTANCEEND THE OCCUPATIONS

NEED SOME TRUTH?CHECK OUT TRAVELING SOLDIER

Traveling Soldier is the publication of the Military Resistance Organization.

Telling the truth - about the occupations or the criminals running the governmentin Washington - is the first reason for Traveling Soldier. But we want to do morethan tell the truth; we want to report on the resistance to Imperial wars inside thearmed forces.

Our goal is for Traveling Soldier to become the thread that ties working-classpeople inside the armed services together. We want this newsletter to be a

weapon to help you organize resistance within the armed forces.

If you like what you've read, we hope that you'll join with us in building a networkof active duty organizers. http://www.traveling-soldier.org/

And join with Iraq Veterans Against the War to end the occupations and bring alltroops home now! (www.ivaw.org/)

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