SF mourns loss of Navy SEAL Team 6 helicopter shot down in Afghanistan
Washington, D.C. -- San Francisco residents are learning in top news today that President Obama is joining the country in mourning the loss of 31 Americans who died in a helicopter shooting in Kabul, Afghanistan. A military helicopter, containing Navy SEALs was shot down in eastern Afghanistan, says ABC 7 News.
San Francisco resident, Kay Amway, says, "It's a terrible tragedy, my heart goes out to all those families. RIP all those Navy SEALs who died protecting our country."
The AP reports that, although the SEALs who died were from the same unit as those who killed Osama Bin Laden, they are not believed to be the actual team who carried out the raid. (See that Osama bin Laden story with photos here: Osama bin Laden dead, body buried, woman used as human shield (photos))
This was the deadliest single incident for American forces in the decade-long war, reports local San Francisco station, ABC 7 news.
"Their 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," said President Obama to the nation. "We will draw inspiration from their lives, and continue the work of securing our country and standing up for the values that they embodied."
President Obama, who learned of what happened while he was at Camp David, said his family's thoughts and prayers went out to the loved ones of the Navy SEAL team who died.
This is believed to be the largest loss of life for SEAL Team Six.
As of now, San Francisco residents have heard no comment from the White House on the details of the SEALS or the helicopter crew who died, or what happened specifically.
Responsibility for the crash and the death of the Navy SEALs has been taken by the Taliban, however no confirmation of that claim has yet been made.
Wreckage from the crash has been reported as being strewn over the area where the Navy SEAL helicopter went down.
According to ABC 7 News, Obama said he also mourned the loss of seven Afghan commandos "who died alongside our troops in pursuit of a more peaceful and hopeful future for their country."
See helicopter photos and video on the left-hand side of this story.
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Sources: http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/national_world&id=8293280#&cmp=twi-kgo-article-8293280
and
http://www.examiner.com/dogs-in-national/seal-team-6-crash#ixzz1ULc7sdaT
and
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/08/06/us-afghanistan-violence-idUSTRE7750UW20110806
