Of the 22 NSW (Naval Special Warfare) members killed, 5 were direct support personnel and 17 were SEALs: 2 from a W Coast SEAL unit, and 15 from Gold Squadron of NSW Development Group, or DevGru, that has been called "SEAL Team 6" although such an operational name does not actually exist, it is a creation of the media and VP Biden.
DevGru consists of 4 "line squadrons": Blue, Gold, Red and Silver and the recon Black Squadron.
Each of the 4 line squadrons has three troops of usually 15 troops each. The 15 SEALs killed were an entire troop of Gold Squadron.
The 8 other US casualties were the 5 aircrew and 3 AF combat air controllers.
The aircraft and personnel were not a "quick reaction force" as has been reported but rather an “immediate reaction force” that was a part of the mission plan and onsite during the planned Army Special forces raid underway.
They had been on the ground for about two hours and were leaving when apparently, waiting for confirmation on this, a hostile fighter fired an RPG that hit the ascending aircraft.
There is much more to be said but I'll close by sending my deepest sympathy to the families of these patriots and warriors.
Thank you for the first answer I’ve seen posted that actually makes sense....a very terrible and tragic sense tho.
Thanks, Gandalf. Do you know if it was NightStalker Chinook? I’m assuming it was.
If this airframe was on site during the Ranger operation, any idea if they also were the planned transport for the Rangers?
Are the Rangers safe?
Danke.