Captain David Anthony Wisniewski   


I have attempted to compile various web links related to the Attack and subsequent casualties, along with some background information.

It is likely that some of these web links may become invalid over time, particularly those from on-line newspapers and news reports which often are removed after some period of time, such as thirty to ninety days. If you encounter a broken link, I apologize and would appreciate being informed.



  Web Links  

Reports concerning June 9, 2010 Attack

  • NATO helicopter shot down in Afghanistan; 4 U.S. troops killed (06/09/10)
  • Nato helicopter shot down in Helmand in Afghanistan (06/09/10)
  • American troops killed when Blackhawk helicopter shot down (06/09/10)
  • Pentagon Acknowledges Downing of US Helicopter in Afghanistan (06/09/10)
  • These Things We Do...That Others May Live (06/09/10)
              (Discussion Forum for Air Force Enlisted personnel. These are soldiers candidly discussing topics among themselves. If you get offended by strong language with plenty of cussing, don't read these notes. The positive aspect from my perspective is that these are the people David and his crew lived and fought with on a daily basis. They tell it how they see it. There are 11 pages to this discussion thread, in chronological order, so it can take a while to read through it.)
  • USAF Afghanistan Losses (06/09/10)
              (Discussion Forum for Air Force Enlisted personnel. These are soldiers candidly discussing topics among themselves. If you get offended by strong language with plenty of cussing, don't read these notes.)
  • 2 D-M airmen shot down, killed in Afghanistan (06/10/10)
  • 2 from Nellis AFB die in Afghanistan helicopter crash (06/10/10)
  • Military statement regarding death of Grass Lake airman Joel Gentz (06/11/10)
  • Afghan crash kills D-M pair (06/11/10)
  • Thread: These things we do, that others may live (06/11/10)
              (Officer.com - These Are Private Forums for Law Enforcement.)
  • Soldier, Marine, 4 Airmen lost (06/12/10)
  • The Unknown Soldiers Blog - A Higher Place (06/14/10)
  • Airmen conduct ground-breaking aeromedical evacuation mission (07/01/10)
  • SOCNET: The Special Operations Community Network > U.S. Air Force Special Operations > Pararescue (PJs) > PJ MEDEVAC Shot down (04/05/11)
              (FORUM for Special Operations Community Network)




  • British Royal Marines Charlie Company, 40 Commando Rescue Reports and Awards

  • AFGHANISTAN: BLACK HAWK HEROES (10/10/10)
  • Marines tell of 'Black Hawk Down' rescue mission (10/10/10)
  • GVs of the Royal Marines, from 40 Commando, arriving at Norton Manor Camp Barracks, Taunton, Somerset. Plus interviews with Marine Gavin Taylor, Lance Corporal Ryan Shelley and Major Duncan Forbes (10/07/10)
  • Solihull Royal Marine Ryan Shelley awarded George Medal (04/11/11)
  • Solihull hero soldier thanked by rescued US pilot's family (07/11/11)
  • You were so brave, we wish you a healthy, long and happy life. (07/11/11)




  • Memorials

  • Service honors Nellis airmen killed in Afghanistan (06/18/10)
              (Includes Photos and Video from Nellis Air Force Base memorial service)
  • Fallen Nellis Airmen remembered during annual memorial dedication (05/25/11)
              (See multiple photos)
  • Rest in Peace our Brothers (06/09/11)
  • Rescue community remembers fallen Pedro 66 Airmen (06/10/11)
              (See multiple photos)
  • Rescue community remembers fallen 'Pedro 66' airmen (06/14/11)




  • Master Sergeant Christopher Aguilera
    Severely Wounded In Action, June 9, 2010
    Aerial Gunner assigned to the
    66th Rescue Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas, Nevada
  • That Others May Live: Crash Survivor Returns to Flight Status (07/19/12)
  • MSgt Christopher Aguilera (02/03/13)
              (YouTube video)
  • Nellis master sergeant, injured in combat, ready to compete in international paralympic competition (05/23/14)




  • Technical Sergeant Michael Paul Flores
    31, of San Antonio, Texas
    Killed In Action, June 9, 2010
    Pararescueman assigned to the 48th Rescue Squadron
    at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona
  • Flores, Michael Paul, SSgt, Fallen
  • Technical Serge Michael Paul Flores, Obituary and Memories
              (Porter Loring Mortuaries)
  • Michael Flores, Obituary (06/17/10)
              (Legacy.com)




  • First Lieutenant Joel Christopher Gentz
    25, of Grass Lake, Michigan
    Killed In Action, June 9, 2010
    Combat Rescue Officer, Weapons and Tactics Flight Commander assigned to the
    58th Rescue Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas, Nevada
  • Gentz, Joel Christopher, Capt, Fallen
  • Joel Gentz exemplified the best that our country can offer (06/12/10)
  • Joel Christopher Gentz, Obituary (06/16/10)
  • Family of First Lt. Joel Gentz shares memories of airman who died in Afghanistan (06/21/10)
  • Joel Gentz remembered by family, friends, former teachers and fellow airmen (06/24/10)




  • Captain Anthony Simone
    Severely Wounded In Action, June 9, 2010
    Helicopter Pilot assigned to the
    66th Rescue Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas, Nevada
  • PJ MEDEVAC Shot down (06/22/10)
              (SOCNET: The Special Operations Community Network forum - See posting #40 "Devastated")
  • Fundraiser planned at Harper's Tavern to benefit Air Force Captain wounded in Afghanistan (07/13/10)
  • Captain Anthony Simone, Homes for Our Troops (11/25/13)
              (YouTube Video)
  • Homes for Our Troops - Capt Anthony Simone, Manhattan, IL, Mission Accomplished on May 14, 2016 (05/14/16)




  • Staff Sergeant David Cazzie Smith
    26, of Eight Mile, Alabama
    Killed In Action, June 9, 2010
    Helicopter Flight Engineer Instructor assigned to the
    66th Rescue Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas, Nevada
  • Smith, David Cazzie, SSgt, Fallen
  • Fallen Mobile airman remembered for saving lives while serving in military (06/21/10)
  • Mobile airman killed in Afghanistan had passion for saving lives (with photo gallery) (06/22/10)




  • Senior Airman Benjamin Daniel White
    24, of Erwin, Tennessee
    Killed In Action, June 9, 2010
    Pararescueman assigned to the 48th Rescue Squadron
    at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona
  • White, Benjamin Daniel, SrA, Fallen
  • SrA Benjamin Daniel White
  • Senior Airman Benjamin Daniel White: Laid to rest (06/22/10)
  • Benjamin Daniel White Memorial (Facebook)
  • Bringing Home Benjamin (06/19/10)
              (YouTube video)




  • Captain David A. Wisniewski
    31, of Iowa City, Iowa
    Died July 2, 2010 from Wounds Received in Action June 9, 2010
    Initial Reports
  • Son of Iowa City Regina administrator injured in Afghanistan (06/10/10)
  • Former Moville resident shot down over Afghanistan (06/12/10)


  • Passing
  • Fifth airman dies from Afghanistan chopper crash (07/03/10)
  • Former Iowan injured in Afghanistan dies (07/03/10)
  • Military Wall Of Honor: DoD Identifies Air Force Casualty - Capt. David A. Wisniewski (07/04/10)
  • The Unknown Soldiers Blog - Lessons in courage (07/05/10)
  • Around the Air Force - July 6 (Video) (07/06/10)
              (This edition features stories on a helicopter crash that claimed the life of Capt. David Wisniewski, Ukraine Air Force members touring the flightline at Ramstein Air Base in Germany, the importance of weather forecasters in planning and executing missions involving aircraft and Airmen celebrating the 4th of July holiday. Hosted by Airman 1st Class Alina Richards)
  • Capt. David A. Wisniewski, Obituary (07/10/10)


  • Nellis Memorial
  • Nellis airman remembered for dedication at memorial (07/15/10)


  • Interment - Arlington National Cemetery
  • David A. Wisniewski, Captain, United States Air Force (07/22/10)
              (Unofficial Site Devoted To Arlington National Cemetery, Information on David)


  • Memorials
  • Wisniewski, David Anthony, Capt, Fallen
  • My Hero (10/07/10)
  • The Unknown Soldiers - An emotional journey (10/26/10)
  • Remembering a Fallen Airman: Pedro 66 - That Others May Live (11/01/12)
              (September 28, 2012 Memorial dedication ceremony at the United States Air Force Academy to Honor Captain David Wisniewski - Nellis TV YouTube video.)
  • A Beer With Wiz: How I learned to observe Memorial Day. (05/27/17)


  • Wisnewski Blog
  • Wisnewski Blog (09/13/10)




  • Background
    Organizations
  • That Others May Live Foundation
              (Provides post-secondary education assistance to children whose USAF parents or guardians were lost in a personnel recovery mission, training, or other personnel recovery collateral mission.)
  • Wounded Warrior Project
              (The mission of Wounded Warrior Project is to honor and empower wounded warriors.)
  • CaringBridge
              (Free, personalized websites that connect family and friends during a serious health event.)
  • James A. Haley Veterans Hospital
  • Patriot Guard Riders


  • Combat Search And Rescue (CSAR / Pedros / Jolly Green)
  • Michael Yon's Online Magazine, collection of photographs on the Pedros by Michael Yon (01/01/09)
  • Article and "Today Show" video on the "Pedros" (07/05/10)
              (The Pedros are the brave men and women assigned to various Expeditionary Rescue Squadrons, units that also includes "PJs" (Pararescue Jumpers) and support personnel from other Air Force rescue units.)
  • Air Rescue Service (Wikipedia)
  • USAF ParaRescue
  • USAF ParaRescue History


  • Videos
  • USAF Pararescue (03/19/06)
              (rockavenger. A grouchy media video about the United States Air Force Pararescue jumpers.)
  • Pave Hawk Glory (YouTube Video) (01/28/07)
              (G3SM. I filmed this during my training on the Air Force HH-60 Pave Hawk Combat Rescue helicopter. Music is "The Pilots Theme" by Trevor Morris from the "Stealth" soundtrack.)
  • USAF Special Operations Tribute. Pararescue & CCT (YouTube Video) (03/29/09)
              (RememberKarmaX. WARNING::: CONTAINS GRAPHIC MATERIAL! This is a Tribute to Air Force Special Operations. Feel free to comment and share your stories. R.I.P. downed Air Force personnel and every other branch for that matter. Especially if it is over from the conflict in Iraq/Afghanistan.)
  • Golden Hour (YouTube Video) (08/11/09)
              (129thRescueWing. The 129th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron responds to emergency medical evacuation calls. The detachment covers the dual role of providing casualty evacuation and personnel recovery/combat search and rescue. Produced by AFCENT Combat Camera)
  • Combat Rescue Afghanistan CSAR Pararescue "Pedros" (YouTube Video) (08/16/09)
              (G3SM. Mission footage from Afghanistan of Air Force/Air National Guard Combat Rescue/Medevac operations in the Helmand Valley region. Responding on the fly via the HH-60G Pave Hawk, CSAR is an advanced and highly capable rescue system for the coalition forces fighting in Afghanistan.)
  • Combat Rescue Afghanistan (YouTube Video) (09/09/09)
              (mwenthe. A slideshow of pics from the 129ERQS summer in Afghanistan providing MEDEVAC to US/Coalition forces and local Afghani personnel. In 4 months we had 631 missions for 397 saves. The US Air Force Rescue motto is "These things we do so that others may live...")


  • Air Force Bases
  • Nellis Air Force Base, Las Vegas, Nevada
  • Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Tucson, Arizona
  • Moody Air Force Base, Georgia


  • Air Force units
  • 23d Wing (Wikipedia)
  • 563d Rescue Group (Wikipedia)
  • 48th Rescue Squadron (AFSOC)
  • 58th Rescue Squadron (ACC)
              (Both the 58th and 66th Rescue Squadrons are in the 563rd Rescue Group, a separate unit of the 23rd Wing )
  • 58th Rescue Squadron (Wikipedia)
  • 66th Rescue Squadron (ACC) (David's squadron)
              (Both the 58th and 66th Rescue Squadrons are in the 563rd Rescue Group, a separate unit of the 23rd Wing )
  • 66th Rescue Squadron (David's squadron) (Wikipedia)
  • USAF Weapons School (ACC)
  • United States Air Force Weapons School (Wikipedia)


  • HH-60G Pave Hawk
  • HH-60G Pave Hawk Helicopter Fact Sheet
  • HH-60G Pave Hawk (04/27/05)
  • Sikorsky HH-60 Pave Hawk
  • Operation Enduring Freedom - Afghanistan (07/02/10)
              (Identifies Serial Number (89-26201) and Name ("Snow Ball") of David's helicopter)


  • HH-60G Pave Hawk S/N 89-26201 - Mount Hood accident
  • National Geographic Amazing Moments : Mount Hood Helicopter Crash (05/30/02)
              (YouTube video)
  • Mt Hood Blackhawk crash (05/30/02)
              (YouTube video - Requires YouTube Login ID to view)


  • Blogs
  • The Unknown Soldiers Blog
              (Tom Sileo. This blog is about valiant U.S. troops who do their duty, largely without media attention or fanfare, and how a nation at war cannot afford to stand idly by.)
  • The Road to Recovery
              (Kristen Olson's pictorial journal on Kyle Deem's recovery beginning with his arrival at National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland. From the blog: "On Saturday morning, June 19, 2010, Captain Kyle Deem was shot in his legs while piloting a medivac helicopter in Southern Afghanistan. Gunfire tore through the chin bubble of the helicopter and exploded in his right leg. Frag and shrapnel ripped through the calf of his left leg. His right leg was hit in the artery and a PJ on board put a tourniquet on him while they were in flight, which saved his life. Kyle recalls feeling like someone punched his leg very hard and then his entire nervous system felt like it was on fire; his face was burning up.")


  • If you encounter a broken link, I apologize and would appreciate being informed.

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    Last Updated: 28-May-2018