Naval Special Warfare Honors Four Killed in Afghanistan

Naval Special Warfare Group 1 and Explosive Disposal Group 1 held a memorial service for two special warfare operators and two explosive ordnance disposal technicians at the Vietnam Unit Memorial Monument aboard Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, Thursday Oct. 18. 

The ceremony honored members of a Naval Special Warfare squadron killed while conducting operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. 

Among those honored were Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician 1st Class Sean P. Carson, 32, of Des Moines, Wash., Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Patrick D. Feeks, 28, of Edgewater, Md., and Special Warfare Operator 2nd Class David J. Warsen, 27, of Kentwood, Mich.

Carson, Feeks, and Warsen died in a helicopter crash while conducting operations northeast of Kandahar, Afghanistan, Aug. 16. 

Also honored was , Mosko died from injuries sustained from an improvised explosive device while conducting operations in Nawa district, Ghazni province, Afghanistan, April 26. 

Capt. Collin P. Green, Naval Special Warfare Group 1 commander, spoke of the character of the sailors and the impact felt throughout the community.

“Our hearts go out to the family, friends, and teammates of fallen brothers during this extremely difficult time. They were great warriors, teammates and friends to many of us in the Naval Special Warfare community,” said Green. “Although they are no longerwith us, they will not be forgotten.”

Cmdr. Stephen J. Vanlandingham, a West Coast-based SEAL Team commanding officer, delivered remarks to the crowd of more than 700 service members, civilians and families. 

“They died fighting for what they believed in,” said VanLandingham. “They did not give their lives in vain and we will honor them with our actions and memorialize them as fiances, husbands, brothers, sons and true warriors.”

Cmdr. Charles H. Andrews, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 3 commanding officer, also addressed the crowd.

“We must not forget the lives these brave men lived,” said Cmdr. Charles H. Andrews, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 3's commanding officer. “They not only leave behind family and friends, but lasting memories and spirits that will live on throughout this community.”

The event included a special musical performance from Luke Spehar, brother of Special Warfare Operator 2nd Class Nicholas P. Spehar. Spehar was a member of the Extortion 17 helicopter crash in Afghanistan last August.

After the ceremony, Chief Special Warfare Operator Miguel Sottello, a Naval Special Warfare Squadron teammate and friend, spoke of the legacy these men leave behind.

“Every team has a spirit and that spirit has no doubt been affected by this devastating loss,” said Sotello. “But these warriors' lives were not lost in vain and we will take this tragedy and use it to strengthen our team spirit; to light a fire to guide us through the darkness to defeat our enemies.”

For more news from Naval Special Warfare Group 1, visit www.navy.mil/local/nswg1/.

– From a news release by navy.mil.