Maxwell Air Force Base Gunter Annex in Montgomery County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

The Final Flight of Extortion 17

In remembrance of the fallen

— 6 August 2011 —

The Final Flight of Extortion 17 Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, April 15, 2023

1. The Final Flight of Extortion 17 Marker

Inscription. In remembrance of the fallen
6 August 2011

CW4 David R. Carter • SCPO Thomas A. Ratzlaff
CW2 Bryan J. Nichols • SCPO Kraig M. Vickers
SGT Alexander J. Bennett • CPO Brian R. Bill
SGT Patrick D. Hamburger • CPO John W. Fass
SPC Spencer C. Duncan • CPO Kevin A. Houston
LCDR Jonas B. Kelsall • CPO Matthew D. Mason
MCPO Louis J. Langlais • CPO Stephen M. Mills
CPO Nicholas H. Null

CPO Robert J. Reeves • PO1 Jon T. Tumilson
CPO Heath M. Robinson • PO1 Aaron C. Vaughn
PO1 Darrik C. Benson • PO1 Jason R. Workman
POI Christopher G. Campbell • PO2 Nickolas P. Spehar
PO1 Jared W. Day • TSgt John W. Brown
PO1 John Douangdara • TSgt Daniel L. Zerbe
PO1 Jesse D. Pittman • SSgt Andrew W. Harvell
PO1 Michael J. Strange
Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free – Ronald Reagan

Your sacrifice will not be forgotten, Class 11-6

Erected

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2011 by AF SNCOA Class 11-6.

Topics. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, Afghanistan.

Location. 32° 24.239′ N, 86° 14.945′ W. Marker is in Maxwell Air Force Base Gunter Annex, Alabama, in Montgomery County. Memorial is on Avenue D, on the right when traveling south. Located at the USAF Senior NCO Academy at the Gunter Annex and requires base access. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 550 McDonald St, Montgomery AL 36115, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Operation Eagle Claw (a few steps from this marker); Operation Allied Force (a few steps from this marker); Army Air Corps Enlisted Pilots (a few steps from this marker); Vietnam Service Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Operation Noble Eagle (a few steps from this marker); Korean Service Memorial & Medal (within shouting distance of this marker); Khobar Towers Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); The Spirit of the Minuteman (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Maxwell Air Force Base Gunter Annex.

Regarding The Final Flight of Extortion 17. The US Army CH-47D Chinook, with a callsign of Extortion 17, was shot down by a Taliban fighter with a rocket-propelled grenade and all aboard were killed — the

Marker at the Enlisted Heritage Hall at the Gunter Annex. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, April 15, 2023

2. Marker at the Enlisted Heritage Hall at the Gunter Annex.

single greatest loss of American life in the Afghan war. Those killed ranked among the world’s most highly trained and experienced commandos, including 15 men from Gold Squadron of the Naval Special Warfare Development Group, popularly called SEAL Team 6.

In addition to the 30 American military who perished, seven Afghan National Army commandos, a translator, and a combat assault dog also died.

Also see . . . The Costliest Day in SEAL Team Six History. (Submitted on April 16, 2023, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

Credits. This page was last revised on July 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 16, 2023, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 119 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 16, 2023, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.