On August 6, 2011, America suffered the single deadliest day of the Afghanistan War when a CH-47D Chinook helicopter—call sign Extortion 17—was shot down in the Tangi Valley of Wardak Province. All 38 souls aboard perished, including 30 American military personnel, one military working dog, and eight Afghans. Among the fallen were 17 members of the elite U.S. Navy SEALs, many from the renowned SEAL Team 6, the same unit credited with the mission that killed Osama bin Laden just months earlier.

The Mission

Extortion 17 was part of a rapid response operation intended to reinforce a team of Army Rangers who were engaged in a firefight with Taliban forces. The Chinook helicopter, operated by the U.S. Army’s 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR), commonly known as the “Night Stalkers,” was tasked with transporting reinforcements—primarily SEALs—into the combat zone under the cover of darkness.

As the aircraft descended into the landing zone shortly after 2:30 a.m., it was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade fired by Taliban fighters from a nearby ridge. The helicopter exploded in mid-air and crashed, killing everyone on board. The tragedy marked the greatest loss of American life in a single incident during the Afghanistan conflict.

The Fallen

The victims of the crash were among the most highly trained and dedicated warriors in the U.S. military. The fallen included:

15 members of SEAL Team 6 – Though not the same personnel involved in the bin Laden raid, they were part of the same highly secretive unit.

2 additional Navy SEALs

5 U.S. Navy support personnel

3 U.S. Air Force Special Tactics airmen

5 U.S. Army helicopter crew members

7 Afghan commandos

1 Afghan interpreter

1 U.S. military working dog

The loss rippled throughout the U.S. special operations community and beyond, leaving families, teammates, and a grateful nation in mourning.

Honoring Their Sacrifice

In the years since the tragedy, the memory of Extortion 17 has been kept alive through numerous memorials, documentaries, and personal tributes. The names of the fallen are etched on the Afghanistan memorial at the U.S. Navy SEAL Museum, and commemorative runs, rides, and ceremonies are held annually across the country.

Their loss underscored the tremendous risks taken daily by those in the special operations community. These warriors operate behind the scenes, carrying out missions that rarely make headlines, facing danger with unwavering resolve and selfless courage.

A Nation Remembers

While the mission ended in tragedy, the legacy of Extortion 17 lives on in the hearts of Americans who value the sacrifice of their armed forces. Their story is a sobering reminder of the high cost of freedom and the bravery required to defend it. These men—and their canine partner—were more than warriors; they were fathers, sons, brothers, husbands, and friends.

On this day, and every August 6th, we pause to honor the memory of those lost aboard Extortion 17. May their courage never be forgotten, and may their families find peace in knowing their loved ones are remembered not only for how they died—but for how they lived and served with honor.

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” – John 15:13