CH-47 Crash

First, my prayers go out to my brothers who were on that bird and to their families. Second, while it seems that our 'elite' brothers are getting a lot of attention, let's not forget that there were some 'regular' soldiers on board as well. Apparently the MSM has been reporting that the crew of the helicopter was from the 160th SOAR. That is incorrect. They were National Guard/Reserves. Below is the statement from the Brigade Commander via another brother still in Afghanistan:

Dear Task Force Falcon and 10th CAB Families, Soldiers and Friends, On August 6th, 2011, we suffered an immense loss of five Task Force Knighthawk aircrew members in the downing of a CH-47D helicopter while conducting a combat mission in Afghanistan. Chief Warrant Officer Four David Carter and Sergeant Patrick Hamburger were members of the 2nd Battalion, 135th Aviation Regiment of the Colorado National Guard and Nebraska National Guard. Chief Warrant Officer Two Bryan Nichols, Specialist Alexander Bennett, and Specialist Spencer Duncan were members of the 7th Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment, US Army Reserves, based in Kansas. The loss felt by the members of Task Force Falcon, particularly their fellow Soldiers from Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, and Task Force Knighthawk is immeasurable. The entire brigade has been impacted by the loss of these fine Soldiers, who can never be replaced and shall never be forgotten. Our hearts and deepest support especially go out to their Families in this time of great suffering. There are those who believe that losses such as these are inevitable, as we are in combat against a fierce and determined enemy. Rest assured that neither I, nor Command Sergeant Major Patton feel that way. We will continue to make every effort to reduce inherent risks to our Soldiers, while at the same time accomplishing our mission even through tragedies as immense as this. The leaders and Soldiers of this task force are committed to both of those goals. As I said earlier, we will never forget these aircrew members nor allow them to be forgotten. Please join me in keeping the Families and friends of our fallen Heroes in your thoughts and prayers. Sincerely, Pedro G. Almeida Colonel, US Army Commanding