“It is my duty, as a member of the Air Rescue Service, to save life and to aid the injured. I will be prepared at all times to perform my assigned duties quickly and efficiently, placing these duties before personal desires and comforts. These things I do that others may live.”

Pararescueman Killed in Action

On August 6th, 2011 Technical Sergeant Daniel L. Zerbe, assigned to the 24th Special Tactics Squadron, was killed when his CH-47 Chinook helicopter, call sign Extortion 17, was shot down by a rocket propelled grenade (RPG)  in the Tangi Vally, Maiden Wardak Province in eastern Afghanistan. This was the highest number of American fatalities recorded in a single incident during Operation Enduring Freedom during the war in Afghanistan. Thirty men were killed: 5 Army aircrew members, 22 Navy SEAL's, and 3 Air Force men (1 CCT & 2 PJ's). The other PJ killed on this mission was TSgt John W. Brown. They were in the helicopter as part of an “immediate reaction force” that was attempting to reinforce a unit of Army Rangers that were in battle with enemy forces. An immediate reaction force differs from a quick reaction force in that the former is built into the mission plan and is on site during the raid, sometimes circling the action in a helicopter, waiting to be committed if needed, whereas a quick reaction force is typically brought forward from the rear.
Mission Synopsis from Wikipedia After American intelligence services discovered in 2011 that senior Taliban leader Qari Tahir was possibly in Tangi Valley, Wardak province, Afghanistan, local American forces launched a mission to apprehend or kill him. At 22:37 (local time) on the night of 5 August, a platoon of 47 U.S. Army Rangers left a forward operating base in Logar Province via two CH-47D transport helicopters, one of which would later be involved in the accident. After a 20-minute flight (around 23:00), the two Chinook helicopters landed near the compound ostensibly containing Tahir, offloaded the Ranger platoon and returned to base. The mission was deemed high risk; two AH-64 Apache helicopters, an AC-130 gunship, and other additional aircraft supported the helicopters on their approach and remained overhead the ground forces. As the CH-47's transporting the Rangers approached the target compound, other aircraft observed several people leaving the compound. This group grew in number over the course of the night, but American forces were at first too preoccupied to engage. At 23:30, one of the Apache support helicopters engaged in a brief skirmish with a different group of eight Taliban fighters 400 m (440 yd) north of the compound, killing six. Supporting aircraft continued to observe the unengaged group from the compound. Originally just two people, the group eventually grew to an estimated total of nine or ten fighters. The special operations task force commander and the Immediate Reaction Force commander became concerned that it might include Tahir. At 01:00, they decided to engage the group with the SEAL reserves. Almost an hour later (01:50), the aviation brigade commander approved a new landing zone for infiltration of the SEAL team. The landing zone had been examined for a previous mission but had not yet been used. At 02:00, the special operations task force commander and the Immediate Reaction Force commander decided to add one USAF Combat Controller and two USAF Pararescuemen. This increased the size of the reinforcement team to 33. In order to speed disembarkation, all troops were loaded on a single CH-47D helicopter for transport; the other Chinook would approach the landing zone second as a decoy. Around 02:23, the two helicopters departed the forward base. Meanwhile, the group of Taliban fighters split in two. At 02:15, one group of three Taliban fighters took a position in a stand of trees; the remaining six or seven men entered a building located some 2 km (1.2 mi) from the target compound. Going forward, the two AH-64 Apache helicopters would be engaged in tracking those two groups of Taliban, and hence unable to provide surveillance or fire support to the inbound helicopter carrying the SEAL team. Six minutes prior to reaching the landing zone, the empty CH-47D left the formation as planned. The helicopter carrying the reinforcements proceeded to the landing zone alone, without external lighting. During the Ranger insertion earlier that night, the CH-47D had approached from the south; this time, it approached from the northwest. The helicopter made its last radio transmission stating that it was one minute away from the landing zone, then descended to an altitude of 100–150 ft (30–46 m) and slowed to a speed of 50 kn (58 mph; 93 km/h) as it approached the landing zone. Around 02:38, the helicopter was fired upon and shot down by a previously undetected group of Taliban fighters approximately 220 m (240 yd) south of the helicopter. The group fired two or three RPG rounds from a two-story building, the second striking one of the helicopter's three aft rotor blades. The resulting explosion destroyed the aft rotor assembly. In less than five seconds, the helicopter crashed, killing all occupants. TSgt John Brown is interred at Arlington National Cemetery
TSgt Dan Zerbe is interred at Arlington National Cemetery	TSgt Zerbe
Airman Zerbe receiving the Arthur Black Award for "esprit de corps" from CMSgt Bob Holler at Dan's Pararescue graduation
Technical Sergeant John Brown was born in Sacramento, California and graduated from Siloam Springs Senior High School, Arkansas in 1996. After graduation, he attended college at John Brown University, Arkansas and later at Chipoia Junior College, Florida. He enlisted in the Air Force and attended basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas in March 2002. After graduating from basic military training, he entered Pararescue training and upon graduating was assigned to the 38th Rescue Squadron, Moody Air Force Base, Georgia. Shortly after his arrival at the squadron, Sergeant Brown completed the first of what would total eight deployments in support of the Global War on Terrorism. He was also one of the responders in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. In May 2006, John was assigned to the 31st Rescue Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Japan where he conducted numerous exercises and combat search and rescue training. In April 2009, He was assigned to the 24th Special Tactics Squadron. TSgt Brown's military awards include the Bronze Star Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the Purple Heart, the Defense Meritorious Service Meal, the Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Aerial Achievement Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, the Air Force Achievement Medal, and the Air Force Combat Action Medal.   Daniel Zerbe Obituary  SANFORD, NC Daniel Lee Zerbe, 28, stationed in Fayetteville, N.C., formerly of Red Lion, died while serving in the U.S. Air Force in Afghanistan on Saturday, August 6, 2011. Born in Chambersburg, on June 27, 1983, he was the son of Terry and Susan (Noel) Zerbe of York. Dan graduated from Red Lion High School in 2001 and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in August of 2001. He served as a Technical Sergeant in the Pararescue Unit of the U.S. Air Force. In addition to his parents, he is survived by a brother, Christopher Zerbe of York; a sister, Megan Zerbe of Virginia; and paternal grandparents, Douglas and Shirley Zerbe, and maternal grandparents, Leslie and Sheila Noel, all of York. He is also survived by aunts and uncles, Wendy and Victor Spangler of York, Julie and Allen Bell of Virginia, and Steven and Kelly Noel of California; cousins, Libby Spangler, Chloe Noel, and Phoebe Noel; and his girlfriend of six years, Amanda Harke of Raleigh, N.C. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 7 p.m. in the Auditorium of Red Lion High School, 200 Horace Mann Ave., Red Lion, with his pastor, the Rev. Richard Stuempfle, officiating.
First Bronze Star Period: 27 February 2010 to 28 June 2010 - For exceptionally meritorious achievement as a combat search and rescue team leader for a Joint Task Force in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. During this period, Sergeant Brown provided rescue coverage for numerous combat operations in hostile territory. He led his team in recovering several crew member remains and sensitive items from a crashed aircraft as well as treatment and evacuation of the wounded. Sergeant Brown coordinated casualty collection, triage, evacuation, blocking positions and communications with base operations for accountability during synchronized anti-coalition fighter and rocket attacks. Through his distinctive accomplishments, Staff Sergeant Brown reflected great credit upon himself, this command, the United States Air Force, and the United States Army. Bronze Star, First Oak Leaf Cluster Period: 1 July 2011 to 6 August 2011 - For exceptionally meritorious achievement as an Assault Force Pararescueman for a Joint Task Force in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. During this period, Sergeant Brown conducted several objectives resulting in multiple enemies eliminated and detained. He led the full spectrum medical and rescue planning, ensuring the successful execution of the task force's highest priority missions. On 5 August 2011, Sergeant Brown and his team responded on a mission to eliminate or capture a high-value Taliban commander in Afghanistan. His helicopter was attacked in the target area by enemy fighters and was shot down by a rocket propelled grenade. Through his distinctive accomplishments, Technical Sergeant Brown reflected great credit upon himself, this command, the United States Air Force, and the United States Army. Bronze Star, Second Oak Leaf Cluster On: 31 October 2008 - For exceptionally valorous achievement as an assault force Pararescueman for a Joint Task Force in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. On this date, Sergeant Zerbe's bravery under fire and decisive actions were instrumental to the elimination of a high ranking Taliban facilitator and enemy combatants. During an intense firefight, without regard for his own personal safety, Sergeant Zerbe exposed himself to enemy contact and maneuvered to a position of tactical advantage, enabling him to eliminate armed enemy combatants. His actions were crucial in ensuring the protection of the assault force and the success of the mission. Through his distinctive accomplishments, Staff Sergeant Zerbe reflected great credit upon himself, this command, the United States Air Force, and the United States Army. Bronze Star, Third Oak Leaf Cluster Period: 1 July 2011 to 6 August 2011 - For exceptionally meritorious achievement as an assault force pararescueman for a Joint Task Force in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. During this period, Sergeant Zerbe conducted several objectives resulting in multiple enemies eliminated and detained. He led the full spectrum medical and rescue planning, ensuring the successful execution of the task force's highest priority missions. On 4 August 2011, Sergeant Zerbe and his team responded on a mission to eliminate or capture a high-value Taliban commander in Afghanistan. His helicopter was attacked in the target area by enemy fighters and was shot down by a rocket propelled grenade. Through his distinctive accomplishments, Technical Sergeant Zerbe reflected great credit upon himself, this command, the United States Air Force, and the United States Army.
A.P. News Article	Newspaper Articles
Video News Report FOX43 WPMT York, Pennsylvania Clicking link will download short video to your device	Pennsylvania House Resolution 484 re: TSgt Daniel Zerbe
JCAT Mission Assessment