Gone but never forgotten… 6 years today: 

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – The Annual 2017 Extortion 17 Legacy Ride honoring local heroes was held Saturday, August 5, 2017.

The Extortion 17 Legacy Ride is dedicated in memory of the 30 active duty military and 1 military working dog killed in action on August 6, 2011 when a CH–47 helicopter was shot down by enemy fire in Afghanistan.

This ride provides an opportunity for the community, Gold Star Families and supporters across the world to come together to honor these incredible men.

This year, all proceeds raised from this event will be to honor, protect and preserve the legacies of the 31 fallen warriors from the Extortion 17 mission.

The foundation provides funding and support to the Extortion 17 families, military, law-enforcement, first responders and their families.

The airmen killed were: 

  • Tech. Sgt. John W. Brown, 33, of Tallahassee, Florida
  • Staff Sgt. Andrew W. Harvell, 26, of Long Beach, California; and
  • Tech. Sgt. Daniel L. Zerbe, 28, of York, Pennsylvania

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