Even though the 24th Special Tactics Squadron (24STS) is one of the most prestigious units in the entire United States military, that does not mean its controllers are immune from devastating accidents. Two of the most notable disasters involving 24STS controllers occurred in February 2007 and August 2011, respectively, and involved the deaths of four men.
On February 17, 2007, TSgt. Scott E. Duffman of the 24STS was part of a contingent of 21 personnel fighting in Afghanistan when their MH-47 helicopter crashed, killing Duffman and seven others. Duffman had been deployed to Afghanistan less than a week when the helicopter crashed after a mechanical problem on the way from Kandahar to Bagram, and he left behind both a wife and an infant daughter. There was another controller and two pararescuemen onboard the MH-47 who survived, and they may have been part of the 24STS attachment, too.
The other crash happened four years later on August 6, 2011, and killed 24STS pararescuemen TSgt. Daniel L. Zerbe and TSgt. John W. Brown, and 24STS controller SSgt. Andrew W. Harvell. This crash also occurred in Afghanistan but in Maidan Wardak Province. Taliban fighters shot down their MH-47 chopper after they had rescued an Army Ranger, and 22 others died in the crash. All of the casualties in the crash were special forces soldiers, and Zerbe, Brown, and Harvell were all highly decorated at the time of their deaths.
