RELEASE NUMBER: 070220-01
DATE POSTED: FEBRUARY 20, 2007
From official military releases and staff reports
FORT BRAGG, N.C. (USASOC News Service, Feb. 20, 2007) – Seven Army Special Operations Soldiers were killed in a Feb. 18 crash of a MH-47 Chinook helicopter in Afghanistan.
According to a Department of Defense release, killed in the crash were:
-Pfc. Ryan C. Garbs, 20, of Edwardsville, Ill.; B Company, 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Benning, Ga.
-Spec. Brandon D. Gordon, 21, of Naples, Fla.; B Company, 2nd Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), Fort Campbell, Ky.
-CW3 Hershel D. McCants, Jr., 33, of Arizona; B Co., 2nd Bn, 160th SOAR(A).
-CW3 John A. Quinlan, 36, of New Jersey; B Co., 2nd Bn, 160th SOAR(A).
-Pfc. Kristofer D. Thomas, 18, of Roseville, Calif.; B Co., 3rd Bn., 75th Ranger Regiment.
-Spec. Travis R. Vaughn, 26, of Reinbeck, Iowa; B Co., 2nd Bn, 160th SOAR(A).
-Sgt. Adam A. Wilkinson, 23, of Miskayuna, N.Y.; B Co., 2nd Bn, 160th SOAR(A).
A member of the U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command was also killed in the crash. TSgt. Scott Duffman, of La Cueva, N.M., was assigned to the 24th Special Tactics Squadron, Pope Air Force Base, N.C. (Go to http://www2.afsoc.af.mil for additional details.)
In a statement, 160th Commander Col. Kevin W. Mangum said, “The aircraft was crewed by an exceptionally qualified team of professionals and was flying in a formation of other aircraft in performance of this mission. It is unclear at this time as to exactly what caused the aircraft to crash onto a high plain in southeastern Afghanistan.
“While it is important that we investigate and determine what caused this tragic event - which we will - our immediate and lasting concern is for the families and friends of the extraordinary men who served their country with distinction,” Mangum said. (Link to full statement)
Fourteen others were wounded in the crash when the helicopter reportedly had a sudden, unexplained loss of power and control before crashing in southeastern Afghanistan.
A combat search and rescue operation was launched immediately to secure the site and recover the passengers. Wounded personnel were transported to Coalition medical facilities for treatment.
The helicopter was carrying 22 people, including aircrew, at the time of the crash.
“The loss of these service members is felt by all of us here in Afghanistan, and we offer our deepest sympathy to the families of those who were killed,” said Lt. Col. David Accetta, Coalition spokesman at a press briefing immediately following the incident.
The 160th SOAR has tentatively scheduled a unit memorial for Feb. 21 at 1 p.m. (CST) in the Passenger Processing Center at Fort Campbell, Ky. It is closed to the media. Plans for the 75th Ranger Regiment memorial have not been set.
The cause of the crash is under investigation.
—usasoc—
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Pfc. Ryan C. Garbs, 20, of Edwardsville, Ill. Garbs was assigned to B Company, 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Benning, Ga. He graduated from the United States Army Airborne School in February 2006. Following graduation from the Ranger Indoctrination Program, he was assigned to 1st Platoon, B Company, 3d Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment in March 2006. Garbs is survived by his parents, Doug and Jill Garbs of Edwardsville, Ill. Pfc. Ryan C. Garbs’ full biography |
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Spec. Brandon D. Gordon, 21, of Naples, Fla. He was assigned to B Company, 2nd Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), Fort Campbell, Ky. Gordon joined the Army in October 2003 and has been with the 160th since May 2005. He is survived by his father, Gene Gordon, mother, Terri Gordon, and brothers, Bryan, Bradley and Cole, from Naples, Fla. Spec. Brandon D. Gordon’s full biography |
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CW3 Hershel D. McCants, Jr., 33, of Arizona. He was assigned to B Company, 2nd Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), Fort Campbell, Ky. McCants enlisted in the Army in October 1991. He earned his pilot wings in 2001 and joined the 160th in 2005. He is survived by his wife, Shannon, son, Trevor (11), and daughter, Kylie (11 months). McCants’ mother, Goldie Murphy, and father, Hershel D. McCants, Sr., also survive him. CW3 Hershel D. McCants’ full biography Click here for the McCants' family statement. |
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CW3 John A. Quinlan, 36, of New Jersey. He was assigned to B Company, 2nd Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), Fort Campbell, Ky. He originally enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in October 1988. He was accepted into the Army Warrant Officer entry program in 1997. He joined the 160th in 2003. He is survived by his wife, Julie, and three daughters – Keely (10), Madeline (8) and Erin (3). His parents, Robert and Kate Quinlan, and sister, Susan, also survive him. CW3 John A. Quinlan’s full biography Click here for the Quinlan's family statement. |
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Pfc. Kristofer D. Thomas, 18, of Roseville, Calif. He was assigned to B Company, 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Benning, Ga. Thomas joined the Army Feb. 9, 2006. By September 2006, he had completed One Station Unit Training, airborne school and Ranger Indoctrination Program at Fort Benning. Lincoln, Calif. and Debby Getz of Roseville, Calif. Pfc. Kristofer D. Thomas’ full biography |
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Spec. Travis R. Vaughn, 26, of Reinbeck, Iowa. He was assigned to B Company, 2nd Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), Fort Campbell, Ky. Vaughn joined the Army in October 2003 and joined the 160th in July 2005. He is survived by his wife, Heather, and son, Taylin (5). Spec. Travis R. Vaughn’s full biography Click here for Vaughn's family statement. |
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Sgt. Adam A. Wilkinson, 23, of Miskayuna, N.Y.; B Company, 2nd Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), Fort Campbell, Ky. Wilkinson joined the Army in March 2002. He arrived at the 160th in May 2005 He is survived by his wife, Tyffanie, and son, Carson (1). Sgt. Adam A. Wilkinson’s full biography Click here for the Wilkinson’s family statement |
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