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A helicopter was shot down today by the Afghan insurgents as it rushes to help soldiers in crossfire, killed 30 Americans, including 22 Navy SEALs, who mostly belong to Team 6, the unit whose members are involved in the attacks that killed Osama bin Laden, said U.S. officials.

Chinook helicopter was carrying a quick reaction force to provide back-up for the troops on the ground in the eastern Afghan province of Wardak, said one U.S. official. After the accident, the forces involved in the crossfire "break contact" with the enemy so they can provide perimeter security for the crash site, the official said.

Then sent additional troops to secure the crash site.

It is unclear how far the helicopter from the initial firefight when it comes down and it is unclear how the soldiers in a shootout to the crash site, the official said.

In addition to 30 Americans, the official said there were seven army soldiers and an Afghan interpreter in a helicopter.

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Although the Taliban claimed to have shot the helicopter down, U.S. officials identified the attackers as rebels only.

Marine Gen. James N. Mattis, commander of U.S. Central Command, said: "We grieve for the comrades we lost, and especially for their families, but we also remember that the young man to do what they want to do and they know what they are about to lose it will only make the rest of us more determined, something which may be difficult for those not in the military to understand. ".

SEAL special operations and their colleagues' conduct a mission this night after night knowing that each mission could be their last, "said a Special Operations officer who asked not to be identified. "And despite this tragic loss for the unit and our nation, tonight their brothers will ride a helicopter and go out and do the job our country has asked of them and they will continue to do so without hesitation or mental reservation they go after. Enemy who would do us harm. "

Team 6, which is known formally as the Group Naval Special Warfare Development, overseen by the Joint Special Operations Command, which also oversees the Army's Delta Force and other elite units.

They Command, in cooperation with the CIA and other intelligence agencies, has initiated a significant increase in nighttime raids over the last year in Afghanistan, targeting Taliban leaders, bomb-makers and other key enemies. This is one of the little-known story of the war in Afghanistan, because of secret raids, and the results are rarely published.