MIKE SARRAILLE: Extortion 17’s heroes died once. America must never let them die twice
A Fox News opinion piece marks the fifteenth anniversary of the Extortion 17 helicopter shootdown in Afghanistan on 6 August 2011, which remains the deadliest single incident of the war and the greatest loss of life in Naval Special Warfare history. Author Mike Sarraille argues that America has a duty to keep the memory of those killed alive, invoking the saying that a soldier dies twice: once when he takes his last breath, and again when his name is spoken for the last time.
The piece coincides with the release of a Fox Nation special, "Final Flight: The Men of Extortion 17", which explores the brotherhood and loss surrounding the tragedy involving SEAL Team Six personnel. The article, written as a tribute, calls on Americans not to let the fallen be forgotten, though the provided text is truncated before further biographical or narrative detail is given.
- Marks 15th anniversary of the Extortion 17 helicopter shootdown, 6 August 2011
- Deadliest single incident of the Afghanistan war for US forces
- Coincides with new Fox Nation documentary on the tragedy