Chisago City in Chisago County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Extortion 17 Memorial

Photographed by McGhiever, May 25, 2024

1. Extortion 17 Memorial

Inscription.

Extortion 17 Memorial. . Strength and Honor. This plaque is dedicated to the memory of the thirty-one Americans of Extortion 17 who were shot down while conducting a special operations mission in Afghanistan on August 6, 2011, Naval Special Warfare members LCDR Jonas B. Kelsall . SOCS Thomas A. Ratzlaff . SOCS Heath M. Robinson . SOC Brian R. Bill . SOC Christopher G. Campbell . SOC Kevin A. Houston . SOC Stephen M. Mills . SOC John T. Tumilson . SOC Jason R. Workman . MA1 John Douangdara . CTR1 Michael J. Strange . SOCM Louis J. Langlais . SOCS Robert J. Reeves . EODCS Kraig M. K. Vickers . SOC Darrik C. Benson . SOC John W. Faas . SOC Matthew D. Mason . EODC Nicholas H. Null . SOC Aaron C. Vaughn . IT1 Jared W. Day . SO1 Jesse D. Pittman . SO2 Nicholas P. Spehar . CWO David R. Carter . CWO Bryan J. Nichols . SSgt Patrick D. Hamburger . Sgt Alexander J. Bennett . Spc Spencer C. Duncan . TSgt John W. Brown . SSgt Andrew W. Harvell . TSgt Daniel L. Zerbe . Multi-Purpose Canine "Bart", We honor the seventeen Navy SEALs, Army Soldiers, from the 10th Mountain Division, Air Force Pararescue and Combat Controllers from the 24th Special Tactics Squadron, and the eight Afghans from their Afghan Partner Unit who gave their lives that day., "I humbly serve as a guardian to my fellow Americans always ready to defend those who are unable to defend themselves.", "Brave men have fought and died building the proud tradition and feared reputation that I am bound to uphold. In the worst of conditions, the legacy of my teammates steadies my resolve and silently guides my every deed. I will not fail.", Taken From The SEAL Ethos, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.", Joshua 1:9, Extortion 17. Tangi Valley, Wardak Province, CH-47D Chinook, On August 6, 2011, the Naval Special Warfare community suffered the single greatest loss of life in its history. A CH-47D Chinook helicopter, call sign "Extortion 17" was shot down in the Tangi Valley, Wardak Province, Afghanistan while responding as a quick reaction force for the 75th Ranger regiment that was pinned down by enemy fire in a fierce firefight. This occurred during Operation Enduring Freedom, the Afghanistan Campaign, when an insurgent launched a rocket propelled grenade into the aft rotor of the Chinook helicopter carrying 31 Americans. Thirty-one of America's bravest warriors gave their lives in defense of our freedom. These men were sons, brothers, husbands, fathers and friends. Two days after the incident, the insurgent responsible for the shoot down and his known associates were killed in a strike conducted by US forces.

Strength and Honor
This plaque is dedicated to the memory of the thirty-one Americans of Extortion 17 who were shot down while conducting a special operations mission in Afghanistan on
August 6, 2011

Naval Special Warfare members
LCDR Jonas B. Kelsall • SOCS Thomas A. Ratzlaff • SOCS Heath M. Robinson • SOC Brian R. Bill • SOC Christopher G. Campbell • SOC Kevin A. Houston • SOC Stephen M. Mills • SOC John T. Tumilson • SOC Jason R. Workman • MA1 John Douangdara • CTR1 Michael J. Strange • SOCM Louis J. Langlais • SOCS Robert J. Reeves • EODCS Kraig M. K. Vickers • SOC Darrik C. Benson • SOC John W. Faas • SOC Matthew D. Mason • EODC Nicholas H. Null • SOC Aaron C. Vaughn • IT1 Jared W. Day • SO1 Jesse D. Pittman • SO2 Nicholas P. Spehar • CWO David R. Carter • CWO Bryan J. Nichols • SSgt Patrick D. Hamburger • Sgt Alexander J. Bennett • Spc Spencer C. Duncan • TSgt John W. Brown • SSgt Andrew W. Harvell • TSgt Daniel L. Zerbe • Multi-Purpose Canine "Bart"

We honor the seventeen Navy SEALs, Army Soldiers, from the 10th Mountain Division, Air Force Pararescue and Combat Controllers from the 24th Special Tactics Squadron, and the eight Afghans from their Afghan Partner Unit who gave their lives that day.

"I

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humbly serve as a guardian to my fellow Americans always ready to defend those who are unable to defend themselves."

"Brave men have fought and died building the proud tradition and feared reputation that I am bound to uphold. In the worst of conditions, the legacy of my teammates steadies my resolve and silently guides my every deed. I will not fail."

Taken From The SEAL Ethos

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

Joshua 1:9

Extortion 17
Tangi Valley, Wardak Province

CH-47D Chinook

On August 6, 2011, the Naval Special Warfare community suffered the single greatest loss of life in its history. A CH-47D Chinook helicopter, call sign "Extortion 17" was shot down in the Tangi Valley, Wardak Province, Afghanistan while responding as a quick reaction force for the 75th Ranger regiment that was pinned down by enemy fire in a fierce firefight. This occurred during Operation Enduring Freedom, the Afghanistan Campaign, when an insurgent launched a rocket propelled grenade into the aft rotor of the Chinook helicopter carrying 31 Americans. Thirty-one of America's bravest warriors gave their lives in defense of our freedom. These men were sons, brothers,

Strength and Honor Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by McGhiever, May 25, 2024

2. Strength and Honor Marker

husbands, fathers and friends. Two days after the incident, the insurgent responsible for the shoot down and his known associates were killed in a strike conducted by US forces.

Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Disasters • War, Afghanistan. A significant historical date for this entry is August 6, 2011.

Location. 45° 22.375′ N, 92° 53.408′ W. Memorial is in Chisago City, Minnesota, in Chisago County. It is at the intersection of Old Towne Road and Railroad Avenue, on the right when traveling south on Old Towne Road. The memorial is at the southeast corner of Vilhelm Moberg Park. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 10656 Railroad Avenue, Chisago City MN 55013, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this memorial is in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Navy SEAL Nicholas P. Spehar Memorial Highway (here, next to this marker); Chisago City Veterans Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Vilhelm Moberg Park (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Vilhelm Moberg (about 300 feet away); The Emigrants (approx. 2.3 miles away); Chisago County All Veterans Memorial (approx. 2.3 miles away); The Immigrant's Dream of America (approx. 2.3 miles away); Lindström's Iconic Water Tower (approx. 2½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chisago City.

Extortion 17 Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by McGhiever, May 25, 2024

3. Extortion 17 Marker

Photographed by McGhiever, May 25, 2024

4. Extortion 17 Memorial

Credits. This page was last revised on December 11, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 29, 2024, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. This page has been viewed 1,413 times since then and 156 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 29, 2024, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota.