On August 6, 2011, Staff Sergeant Andrew W. Harvell, a combat controller, assigned to the 24th Special Tactics Squadron, 724th Special Tactics Group, was killed when his coalition CH-47 Chinook helicopter was shot down in Maiden Wardak Province in eastern Afghanistan. They were among twenty-five Special Operations Command operators who died in the attack, which also took the lives of five Army Reserve Soldiers, seven Afghan commandos and one civilian interpreter.

Technical Sergeant Harvell was born in Long Beach, California and graduated from Millikan High School. Following graduation in June 2002, Harvell enlisted in the Air Force, graduated basic training, and immediately entered the combat control training pipeline.

Upon graduation Harvell was assigned to the 21st Special Tactics Squadron, Pope Air Force Base, North Carolina, where he completed four combat deployments in support of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM, as well as numerous joint exercises and training events.

In May 2009, he was reassigned to the 24th Special Tactics Squadron.

Harvell’s military awards included the Bronze Star Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the Purple Heart, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, and the Air Force Combat Action Medal.

His 1st Bronze Star Medal Citation reads:

Staff Sergeant Andrew W. Harvell distinguished himself by meritorious achievement as Special Tactics Combat Controller, 21st Expeditionary Special Tactical Squadron, Combined Joint Special Operations Air Component while engaged in combat against an enemy of the United States in Iraq from 26 January 2008 to 14 May 2008. During this period, in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, Sergeant Harvell executed over 50 combat patrols and raids while operating in Suwayrah, Iraq. On 29 March 2008, Sergeant Harvell's expertise helped save friendly forces when they were engaged at close range by accurate enemy fire, when Sergeant Harvell's three-vehicle convoy was engaged by a truck containing 15 heavily armed Jaish al Mahdi fighters. Sergeant Harvell exposed himself to obtain a better vantage point to return fire and to establish communications with friendly aircraft. His actions culminated with a show of force from two F-16s, scattering their forces, which effectively ended the engagement. The battle resulted in no friendly casualties and 13 enemy killed. Sergeant Harvell was credited with killing four of the insurgents. Later, he participated in Operation MERCURY, where he directed multiple strikes on numerous dispersed enemy positions. His actions resulted in the elimination of seven anti-Coalition fighters, including one high-value target, thereby denying an insurgent stronghold. The exemplary leadership, personal endeavor, and devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Harvell in this responsible position reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

His 2nd Bronze Star Medal Citation reads:

For the Period: 25 June 2011 to 6 August 2011

For exceptionally meritorious achievement as a Combat Controller for a Joint Task Force in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. During this period, Sergeant Harvell conducted several objectives resulting in multiple enemies eliminated and detained. He led the full spectrum Joint Terminal Attack Controller planning, ensuring the successful execution of the task force's highest priority missions. On 5 August 2011, Sergeant Harvell 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 be a rocket propelled grenade. Through his distinctive accomplishments, Staff Sergeant Harvell reflected great credit upon himself, this command, the United States Air Force, and the United States Army.

To learn more & to leave a memory, please visit his CCT memorial page.

Airmen killed in the Extortion 17 attack:

• PJ Technical Sergeant John W. Brown, 33, of Tallahassee, Florida

• CCT Staff Sergeant Andrew W. Harvell, 26, of Long Beach, California

• PJ Technical Sergeant Daniel L. Zerbe, 28, of York, Pennsylvania

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

Sailors killed in the Extortion 17 attack:

• Lieutenant Commander (SEAL) Jonas B. Kelsall, 32, of Shreveport, Louisiana

• Special Warfare Operator Master Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Louis J. Langlais, 44, of Santa Barbara, California

• Special Warfare Operator Senior Chief Petty Officer (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

• Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Brian R. Bill, 31, of Stamford, Connecticut

• Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) John W. Faas, 31, of Minneapolis, Minnesota

• Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Kevin A. Houston, 35, of West Hyannisport, Massachusetts

• Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Matthew D. Mason, 37, of Kansas City, Missouri

• Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Stephen M. Mills, 35, of Fort Worth, Texas

• Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician Chief Petty Officer (Expeditionary Warfare Specialist/Freefall Parachutist/Diver) Nicholas H. Null, 30, of Washington, West Virginia

• Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Robert J. Reeves, 32, of Shreveport, Louisiana

• Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Heath M. Robinson, 34, of Detroit, Michigan

• Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (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

• Information Systems Technician Petty Officer 1st Class (Expeditionary Warfare Specialist/Freefall Parachutist) Jared W. Day, 28, of Taylorsville, Utah

• Master-at-Arms Petty Officer 1st Class (Expeditionary Warfare Specialist) John Douangdara, 26, of South Sioux City, Nebraska

• Cryptologist Technician (Collection) Petty Officer 1st Class (Expeditionary Warfare Specialist) 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

• Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL)Jesse D. Pittman, 27, of Ukiah, California

• Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 2nd Class (SEAL) Nicholas P. Spehar, 24, of Saint Paul, Minnesota

• Military Working Dog (NSWDG) Bart, a Belgian Malinois.

Soldiers killed in the Extortion 17 attack:

• 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

• SSG Patrick D. Hamburger, 30, of Lincoln, Neb. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 135th Aviation Regiment (General Support Aviation Battalion), Grand Island, Nebraska

• 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

Afghan Forces – 8 Killed (Names Not Released):

• Seven Afghan National Army Commandos (names withheld for operational security)

• One Afghan Interpreter (name withheld for family safety)