"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends."
– John 15:13
This event is in memory of EXTORTION 17, the callsign for the Chinook helicopter shot down while attempting to insert reinforcements for a unit of Rangers on 6 August 2011 in Wardak province, Afghanistan. EXTORTION 17 remains the single greatest loss of life in that war. Of the 38 KIA, 17 were SEALs. All were willing to risk their lives for their brothers on the ground. At your challenge, expect the scenarios to build in concert with how the mission unfolded that fateful day. The initial insertion of Rangers, the follow on mission for the Taliban commander, the “Fallen Angel”, and the aftermath. Rest in Peace. Participants are requested to bring a laminated picture of a service member who passed on EXTORTION 17.
Pain is the theme of all GORUCK Challenges. Our Special Forces Cadres will ensure it’s pain with purpose by pushing individuals out of their comfort zones and building each class into a team. Train hard and show up ready. It’s worth it.
Barbarossa (red beard) retired out of 5th Special Forces Group after 21 years of service. All of his 18 years in Special Forces was at 5th, with the exception of 3 years as cadre at Special Forces Assessment & Selection helping build future Green Berets. He currently lives in Savannah with his family, sharpening his cocktail making skills on a daily basis.