Update: Many of the SEALs dead are from Team 6, which seems to be either a coincidence or targeted revenge. U.S. officials say the Team 6 SEALs who died were not on the bin Laden mission.
A NATO helicopter was shot down during an overnight operation against the Taliban in eastern Afghanistan, a U.S. official said. The crash killed 31 U.S. service members and eight Afghan troops, according to Afghan President Hamid Karzai, making it the deadliest incident for the coalition in the nearly 10-year-old war.Obama's statement:
The U.S. official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the matter, said the aircraft was most likely brought down by a rocket-propelled grenade and that many of the dead were Navy SEALs. The Taliban asserted responsibility for the crash, which occurred in Wardak province, just west of the capital, Kabul. WaPo
My thoughts and prayers go out to the families and loved ones of the Americans who were lost earlier today in Afghanistan. The deaths 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. We will draw inspiration from their lives, and continue the work of securing our country and standing up for the values that they embodied. We also mourn the Afghans who died alongside our troops in pursuit of a more peaceful and hopeful future for their country. At this difficult hour, all Americans are united in support of our men and women in uniform who serve so that we can live in freedom and security.
