#8

6 August 2011

28-year-old USAF Airman Daniel Zerbe was killed in action on 6th August 2011 in Wardak province, Afghanistan, when the Chinook helicopter he was in crashed, killing all on board.

Airman Zerbe was a Special Ops Para-rescue jumper, a position that is reserved for an elite few, who was trained to save the lives of injured soldiers.

The helicopter with 30 American Special Forces troops and 7 Afghan Commandos on board, was tasked with helping Army Rangers who were engaged in a battle with enemy forces. As the helicopter was landing, it reportedly took a direct hit from a rocket-propelled grenade.

Airman Zerbe, from Philadelphia, was living his dream military career according to family and friends.
Article from hometown paper.