Navy SEAL Team 6 killed in crash were not Osama bin Laden's killers
WASHINGTON (AP) -- U.S. officials tell The Associated Press that they believe that none of the Navy SEALs who died in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan had participated in the raid that killed Osama bin Laden, although they were from the same unit that carried out the bin Laden mission.
Sources say that more than 20 Navy SEALs were among those lost in the crash in Afghanistan.
The operators from SEAL Team Six were flown by a regular Army crew. That's according to AP military sources.
Another source says the team was thought to include 22 SEALs, three Air Force air controllers, seven Afghan Army troops, a dog and his handler, and a civilian interpreter, plus the helicopter crew.
The sources thought this was the largest single loss of life ever for SEAL Team Six, known as the Naval Special Warfare Development Group.
All sources spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive military matters.
Defense Secretary Leon Panetta says he is deeply saddened by the loss, and vowed that the U.S. will stay the course to complete the mission to make the world a safer place.
Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, says the best way to honor their sacrifice is to keep fighting. He asks for patience as the military works to notify families of their losses. He says the troops' deaths aren't just statistics, and everything should be done to support the families.
Obama learned of the deaths while at Camp David. In a written statement, he says Americans' thoughts and prayers go out to the families of those who perished. He also mourned the loss of seven Afghan soldiers killed in the crash.
It is the deadliest single incident for American forces in the decade-long war.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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