WASHINGTON - Today Defense Department officials released the identities from the Aug. 6 CH-47 Chinook helicopter crash that killed 30 service members, including two National Guard members.
Army Chief Warrant Officer 4 David Carter, 47, of the Colorado National Guard and Army Sgt. Patrick Hamburger, 30, of the Nebraska National Guard were both killed when the Chinook crashed in Wardak province, Afghanistan while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
The remains of Carter and Edwards and the rest of the victims of the crash arrived back on U.S. soil Aug. 9. President Barack Obama and several senior military officials paid their respects in person at Dover Air Force Base, Del. during the dignified remains transfer.
With the sensitivity of the mission, DOD did not release the names of the victims until officials felt it safe enough for on-going missions and the victim’s family members.
“Due to the unique circumstances surrounding the incident – including the high number of special operations forces who were killed – the secretary of defense decided to honor requests by senior commanders for additional time to fully review the possible implications of the release for the victims and their families,” said Marine Corps Col. Dave Lapan, a spokesperson for U.S. Special Forces Command.