Breaking News of the Day: A NATO Chinook helicopter was reportedly brought down by a rocket-propelled grenade last night during an operation in eastern Afghanistan, killing all 38 people on board in the single deadliest day for the US since the start of the war.
The majority of the fatalities appear to be Navy SEALs from the unit involved in the operation that led to the killing of Osama bin Laden. According to an AP source, the helicopter was carrying 22 SEAL Team Six members, three Air Force air controllers, the helicopter crew, a civilian interpreter, a dog and his handler, and seven Afghan Special Forces troops.
The Taliban has claimed responsibility for the attack, adding that eight of their fighters were also killed in the Tangi Valley west of Kabul.
President Obama released the following statement:
My thoughts and prayers go out to the families and loved ones of the Americans who were lost earlier today in Afghanistan. We also mourn the Afghans who died alongside our troops in pursuit of a more peaceful and hopeful future for their country.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai offered the President his condolences.
