Killed U.S. Soldiers Part of Elite Force (Night Stalkers)

Newsday.com ^ | 1/31/03 | Kimberly Hefling - AP

[NormsRevenge]

FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. -- The four soldiers killed in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan were all members of an elite aviation regiment based at Fort Campbell, military officials said Friday.

The 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment -- known as the Night Stalkers -- was one of the first units deployed to fight in Operation Enduring Freedom, America's war on terrorism.

"These men gave their lives in the defense of freedom, doing what they loved most, flying with the 160th," Lt. Col. Emmett Shaffer, the regiment's deputy commander, said Friday. "I ask for your prayers, both for those we have lost, and those who continue our mission."

[NormsRevenge]

Prayers for the soldiers and for their families.

[NormsRevenge]

The four soldiers were identified as

Chief Warrant Officer Mark S. O'Steen, 43, of Alabama;

Chief Warrant Officer Thomas J. Gibbons, 31, of Maryland;

Staff Sgt. Daniel L. Kisling Jr., 31, of Missouri; and

Sgt. Gregory M. Frampton, 37, of California.

Hometowns were not released.

[RCW2001]

Soldiers killed in crash were members of elite regiment
KIMBERLY HEFLING
Associated Press

FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. - The four soldiers killed in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan were all members of an elite aviation regiment based at Fort Campbell, military officials said Friday.

The 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment - known as the Night Stalkers - was one of the first units deployed to fight in Operation Enduring Freedom, America's war on terrorism.

"These men gave their lives in the defense of freedom, doing what they loved most, flying with the 160th," Lt. Col. Emmett Shaffer, the regiment's deputy commander, said Friday. "I ask for your prayers, both for those we have lost, and those who continue our mission."

The four soldiers were identified as Chief Warrant Officer Mark S. O'Steen, 43, of Alabama; Chief Warrant Officer Thomas J. Gibbons, 31, of Maryland; Staff Sgt. Daniel L. Kisling Jr., 31, of Missouri; and Sgt. Gregory M. Frampton, 37, of California. Hometowns were not released.

The special operations helicopter went down Thursday night seven miles east of the Bagram Air Base while on a training mission. The cause was under investigation.

It was the deadliest day for the American military in Afghanistan since March 4, when seven soldiers were killed and 11 wounded at the outset of Operation Anaconda against remnant Taliban and al-Qaida forces.

O'Steen and Gibbons were pilots. Kisling and Frampton were maintenance crewmen.

"Our mission as soldiers is inherently dangerous," Shaffer said. "It does not make our loss easier, but it is a reality that we face every day."

The 160th, based at Fort Campbell on the Tennessee border, slips special forces commandos behind enemy lines.

It earned the nickname Night Stalkers because of its ability to strike - often using night vision technology - undetected in darkness and extreme conditions.

Nine other Night Stalkers have died in America's war on terrorism since Sept. 11, 2001.

One died in the March 4 battle. The others were killed Feb. 22 when their helicopter crashed during counterterrorism exercises with Philippine troops.

[The Wizard]

sounds like we better protect our boys here at home too

They couldn't shot our planes downs so they killed the pilots on the ground.....we need to protect our forces

[Spruce]

Judging by the ages and unit, these were some extremely valuable men. Which makes their loss even more tragic.

May God bless their souls and comfort their families.

[EverOnward]

Thank you for posting the names of these fine young men. Words fail to describe my gratitude for such men as these... and my sorrow that they paid the ultimate price to protect our way of life.

[NormsRevenge]

Each and every man on the list has families that will no longer see their smile, feel their hug...

Acknowledging them is the least we can do as we owe our warriors so much for all the sacrifices they make every day for freedom and liberty worldwide.

[AdA$tra]

Judging by the ages and unit, these were some extremely valuable men.

That is what I was thinking. These were old timers by Army standards. Forty or fifty years of combined experience here.

[highpockets]

God bless these heros and all the other ones who protect us all the time.

It is a moments like this that I thank God I am an American.

Bless their families, and kiss your own in their name.

[Travis McGee]

NSDQ!

[Alberta's Child]

Prayers for those soldiers and their families, and "long may they run."

I've noticed that most of the soldiers who are killed and wounded in action have been older than usual -- I'm guessing that this is a function of the increased need for specialists with a lot of training.

[xzins]

NSDQ, Travis. My old unit. I was their chaplain during the late 80's. Best unit I was ever a part of. I'm proud to have flown with them.

Prayer bump!

[SLB]

You bet NSDQ! I worked with an ex NS in the National Guard. We went to Ft Campbell for summer camp in 1994, he took me by to see the old unit. From the reception I thought he as the long lost great uncle that had put everyone in his will. Knocked my socks off. Very professional, no shop talk allowed with us there.

[Madcelt]

Prayers given for all.

[Poohbah]

Flying at night, low level, on goggles...is not for the faint of heart. The Night Stalkers do it routinely.

God bless, brave men. Rest easy from your labors.

[Poohbah]

This was apparently a noncombat crash.

[IronJack]

As I recall, the Night Stalkers were part of the raid in Mogadishu, Somalia that prompted the book & movie Blackhawk Down. They're an impressive group.

[IronJack]

As I recall, the Night Stalkers were part of the raid in Mogadishu, Somalia that prompted the book & movie Blackhawk Down. They're an impressive group.

[blastdad51]

Every time I hear about the death of our fighting men and women I cry . My daughter spent 8 months in Afghanistan (Army EOD) and lost three members from her unit. I knew two of them and heard my daughter talking about the third, so the loss of our people hits a little close to home. My prayers and sympathies go out to the families who suffer the loss. God bless them all.

[realpatriot71]

I pray for the families of these men. I have a friend who's a crew cheif with the 160th. I'm glad to hear it wasn't him. My father was a flight surgeon with the 160th. I grew up around these guys, and I hope to be a flight surgeon with them in a few years. God bless these heros.