Nearly two dozen members of the elite Navy SEAL unit that took out Osama bin Laden perished yesterday in a horrific helicopter strike at the hands of the Taliban in Afghanistan, officials said.
The special-forces operatives were reportedly blasted by a rocket-propelled grenade as they rushed to aid other troops in a firefight at an insurgent stronghold in Wardak province, just west of Kabul.
Thirty Americans — including 22 SEALs and an Army helicopter crew — were killed, along with an interpreter, seven Afghan soldiers and a combat dog, which makes this the deadliest incident in the nearly 10-year war.
“My thoughts and prayers go out to the families and loved ones of the Americans who were lost,” said President Obama, who was notified shortly after 8 p.m. Friday by National Security Adviser Tom Donilon.
“Their deaths,” the president said, “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.”
Officials said none of the slain SEALs had participated in the May bin Laden raid carried out by their Team 6 comrades.
The helicopter was rushing to support forces battling the Taliban in Wardak, according to ABC News. It was unknown how close the twin-rotor Chinook was to the fight when it went down.
Afterward, troops on the ground rallied around the wreckage and kept it covered while more US forces rushed to secure the area.
A short time later, the Taliban claimed responsibility.
“They wanted to attack our mujahedin who were in a house, but our mujahedin resisted and destroyed a helicopter with an RPG [rocket-propelled grenade] rocket,” Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said by phone from an undisclosed location.
“Eight mujahedin were martyred,” he continued, “. . . and today they [American soldiers] carried away parts of their plane and shattered pieces of their bodies.”
US officials said the cause of the crash was under investigation.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai said he “shared his deep sorrow and sadness” with Obama after learning of the deadly firefight.
The loss of nearly two dozen members will likely have a temporary impact on how many missions Team 6 can carry out. The team, whose operations are highly classified, is believed to have some 300 members, and reserves will be able to step in.

And if you’re thinking, “All’s fair in love and war. The Taliban did what they had to do,” remember: while we’re defending the fabric of they’re knocking off heroes.

One of the slain SEALs was identified as Aaron Carson Vaughn, 30, of Tennessee. He was a decorated soldier who volunteered to return to combat just two weeks after his daughter was born this summer. He also leaves behind a 2-year-old son.
“He was a tough warrior, but he was a gentle man,” his heartbroken grandma said yesterday.

The Taliban’s latest dirty tactics are also sure to put more US military lives in danger.

The tragedy raises fears that a successful attack on the chopper could raise morale among the Taliban, who have been hit hard by special forces even as the total number of regular troops has been reduced.
From April to July this year, special-ops forces captured 2,941 insurgents and killed 834 — twice as many as those killed or captured in the same three-month period of 2010, according to NATO.

All this during the holy month of Ramadan. And claiming Allah is on their side. SMH.