Confusion Surrounds Reports of U.S. Helicopter Crash in Afghanistan

By Nick Greene Sat., Aug. 6 2011 at 1:45 PM

Earlier, we reported on the helicopter crash in the Wardak province of Afghanistan that killed 31 American troops. The AP briefly reported that "one former U.S. official said that the dead included more than 20 Navy SEALs from SEAL Team Six, the unit that carried out the raid in Pakistan in May that killed bin Laden." Now they are reporting that, "they believe that none of the Navy SEALs who died in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan had participated in the raid that killed Osama bin Laden."

The confusion appears to arise from the fact that the perished servicemen were from the same unit as the forces who carried out the bin Laden mission in Abbottabad, Pakistan.

The team is thought to include "22 SEALs, three Air Force air controllers, seven Afghan Army troops, a dog and his handler, and a civilian interpreter, plus the helicopter crew."

The Taliban has claimed responsibility for the attack, saying they shot the helicopter down with rocket fire.

SEAL Team Six and their successful raid of bin Laden's compound was recently chronicled in this New Yorker article. In it, President Obama called the squad, "literally, the finest small-fighting force that has ever existed in the world."

31 American troops, 7 Afghan commandos killed when helicopter shot down in eastern Afghanistan [AP]
AP sources: Crash kills members of SEAL Team 6 [AP]

[@nickgreene]

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Kimberly Dozier

SEE? No confusion -- just additional info.AP sources: None of the Navy SEALs on bin Laden mission among Team 6 members lost in crash

By Associated Press, Updated: Saturday, August 6, 1:50 PM

WASHINGTON — U.S. officials tell The Associated Press that they believe that none of the Navy SEALs who died in a 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.

Sources say that more than 20 Navy SEALs were among those lost in the crash in Afghanistan. The operators from SEAL Team Six were flown by a regular Army crew. That’s according to AP military sources.

Another source says the team was thought to include 22 SEALs, three Air Force air controllers, seven Afghan Army troops, a dog and his handler, and a civilian interpreter, plus the helicopter crew.

The sources thought this was the largest single loss of life ever for SEAL Team Six, known as the Naval Special Warfare Development Group.

All sources spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive military matters.

Nick Greene

Indeed, it is just more info. The confusion arose from people (mostly on Twitter) quickly assuming that the troops in the helicopter crash were responsible for the bin Laden raid. This is intended to clear that up.