The Final Mission of Extortion 17

Special Ops, Helicopter Support, SEAL Team Six, and the Deadliest Day of the US War in Afghanistan

By: Ed Darack

Narrated by: John Pruden

On August 6, 2011, a US Army CH-47D Chinook helicopter approached a landing zone in Afghanistan 40 miles southwest of Kabul. The helicopter, call sign Extortion 17, was on a mission to reinforce American and coalition special operations troops. It would never return. Insurgents fired at the Chinook, severed one of its rear rotor blades, and brought it crashing to the ground. All 38 onboard perished instantly in the single greatest moment of sacrifice for Americans in the war in Afghanistan.

Those killed were some of the United States' most highly trained and battle-honed commandos, including 15 men from the Gold Squadron of the Naval Special Warfare Development Group, known popularly as SEAL Team 6, which had raided a Pakistan compound and killed Osama bin Laden just three months earlier.

The downing of Extortion 17 spurred a number of conspiracy theories, such as the idea that the shootdown was revenge for bin Laden's death. In The Final Mission of Extortion 17, Ed Darack debunks this theory and others and uncovers the truth behind this mysterious tragedy. His account of the brave pilots, crew, and passengers of Extortion 17 and the events of that fateful day is interwoven into a rich, complex narrative that also discusses modern joint combat operations, the history of the Afghan war to that date, US helicopter use in Afghanistan, and the new and evolving military technologies and tactics being developed to mitigate such tragedies now and in the future.

©2017 Ed Darack (P)2017 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Bravery in Detail

Fascinating and heart wrenching story. The detailed account about the machines, people, and drive that makes Army Aviation possible. You will cry from chapter 12 on, listen anyway.

A well presented account of this tragedy

This book recounts many of the events surrounding the downing of Extortion 17. In addition to that, it presents the listener with an overview of the detailed mechanics of mission planning and the support needed during the prosecution of HVTs during our War on Terror.

Great book

This is i great book every American needs to read! Im from kansas and most characters are from Kansas in this book

Excellent!

An awesome story and tribute to the men of Extortion Company and to all the men and women that serve in all 5 branches of our military.

Sierra Hotel

Awesome book! As a three tour Iraq Vet (retired Fighter Pilot) this story hit home for myself and every combat aviator who has served downrange and supported Special Operations, support elements, soldiers and Marines. The facts are presented expertly as well as supporting information from eyewitnesses, post incident reports and interviews. The bottom line, never forget. The valor, bravery, sacrifices and inherent risk every warrior accepts when they kick down a door, drop ordinance danger close or in this case, board a helicopter bound for a very bad neighborhood is what we do.
I just wish I could have been the Viper driver who got some payback afterward. Lest we ever forget these brave brothers!

Highly recommended!
RR