SOC ( Seal) Aaron Vaughn

Elite Navy SEAL, Aaron Carson Vaughn, was killed August 6, 2011, when a Chinook helicopter carrying 30 American troops was shot down in Afghanistan. Aaron had just celebrated his 30th birthday.

After serving with SEAL Team One for many years, Special Operations Chief Vaughn, in May of 2010, began rigorous selection and training with Naval Special Warfare Development Group . He endured several months of the most rigorous training offered in the military and upon successful completion reported to Development and Evaluation Squadron Three in December 2010. Aaron completed many deployments around the world, including several combat deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq.

He was a highly decorated combat veteran with numerous awards including the Joint Service Achievement Medal with Valor, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Valor, Combat Action Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism (Service) Medal, Global War on Terrorism (Expeditionary) Medal, and numerous other personal and unit decoration. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal and the Bronze Star Medal with Valor.

Aaron's story, life, and legacy inspired the creation of Operation 300.
We believe that when a member of our Armed Services gives his life in defense of our great nation, the least we can do is pledge to honor that sacrifice by caring for his family. This is the heart behind Operation 300, a registered 501(c)3 not for profit organization which hosts weekend-long adventure camps for children who have lost their fathers as a result of military service, pairing each child with a father-aged, male mentor who spends the weekend doing things with the children they might have done with their dad.

The AV logo was developed to represent and stand for SOC (SEAL) Aaron Vaughn. This logo is used throughout the foundation to never forget why this organization was founded and to pay respect to Aaron’s ultimate sacrifice. This is represented by the gold star within the logo. You will see this logo used throughout Op300 on merchandise, signage, and stickers.

In memory of

The Fallen Soldiers of Extortion 17

August 6, 2021 marks 10 years since Extortion 17. On this day one decade ago, 30 American military servicemen and a U.S. military dog were killed when a CH-47 Chinook helicopter – call sign Extortion 17 – was shot down in Afghanistan.

This remains the greatest single loss of life to Naval Special Warfare since the Afghan War started in 2001. The Museum Executive Team worked with these men. We continue our work at the Museum so that they will never be forgotten.

Please take a moment and pause to honor and remember these heroes.

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The following sailors assigned to an East Coast-based Naval Special Warfare unit were killed:

Lt Cmdr (SEAL) Jonas B. Kelsall, 32, of Shreveport, Louisiana
MCPO (SEAL) Louis J. Langlais, 44, of Santa Barbara, California
SCPO (SEAL) Thomas A. Ratzlaff, 34, of Green Forest, Arkansas
Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician Senior Chief Petty Officer (Expeditionary Warfare Specialist/Freefall Parachutist) Kraig M. Vickers 36, of Kokomo, Hawaii
CPO (SEAL) Brian R. Bill, 31, of Stamford, Connecticut
CPO (SEAL) John W. Faas, 31, of Minneapolis, Minnesota
CPO (SEAL) Kevin A. Houston, 35, of West Hyannisport, Massachusetts
CPO (SEAL) Matthew D. Mason, 37, of Kansas City, Missouri
CPO (SEAL) Stephen M. Mills, 35, of Fort Worth, Texas
CPO Nicholas H. Null, 30, of Washington, West Virginia
CPO (SEAL) Robert J. Reeves, 32, of Shreveport, Louisiana
CPO (SEAL) Heath M. Robinson, 34, of Detroit, Michigan
PO1 (SEAL) Darrik C. Benson, 28, of Angwin, California
Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL/Parachutist) Christopher G. Campbell, 36, of Jacksonville, North Carolina
PO1 Jared W. Day, 28, of Taylorsville, Utah
PO1 John Douangdara, 26, of South Sioux City, Nebraska
PO1 Michael J. Strange, 25, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL/Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist) Jon T. Tumilson, 35, of Rockford, Iowa
Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL)Aaron C. Vaughn, 30, of Stuart, Florida
Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL)Jason R. Workman, 32, of Blanding, Utah

The following sailors assigned to a West Coast-based Naval Special Warfare unit were killed:

PO1 (SEAL)Jesse D. Pittman, 27, of Ukiah, California
PO2 (SEAL)Nicholas P. Spehar, 24, of Saint Paul, Minnesota

The soldiers killed were:

CWO David R. Carter, 47, of Centennial, Colo. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 135th Aviation Regiment (General Support Aviation Battalion), Aurora, Colorado
CWO Bryan J. Nichols, 31, of Hays, Kan. He was assigned to the 7th Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment(General Support Aviation Battalion), New Century, Kansas
S.Sg. Patrick D. Hamburger, 30, of Lincoln, Neb. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 135th Aviation Regiment (General Support Aviation Battalion), Grand Island, Nebraska

* Sergeant Hamburger was posthumously promoted to Staff Sergeant

Sgt. Alexander J. Bennett, 24, of Tacoma, Wash. He was assigned to the 7th Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment (General Support Aviation Battalion), New Century, Kansas
Spc. Spencer C. Duncan, 21, of Olathe, Kan. He was assigned to the 7th Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment (General Support Aviation Battalion), New Century, Kansas

The airmen killed were:

Tech. Sgt. John W. Brown, 33, of Tallahassee, Florida
S. Sgt. Andrew W. Harvell, 26, of Long Beach, California
Tech. Sgt. Daniel L. Zerbe, 28, of York, Pennsylvania

All three airmen were assigned to the 24th Special Tactics Squadron, Pope Field, North Carolina.

Seven Afghan National Army commandos and one Afghan civilian interpreter were also killed in the crash.

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SOC ( Seal) Aaron Vaughn

In memory of

The Fallen Soldiers of Extortion 17

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