Letter: Loss of SEALs should be questioned
Navy SEAL Chris Campbell, 36, was one of 17 SEALs killed in a helicopter crash in the Wardak province of Afghanistan on Saturday, Aug. 6. Credit: Handout
The recent death of 22 Navy SEALs and eight others is a clear sign that the military leadership is either criminally negligent or simply unqualified to lead.
SEALs are not combat infantrymen. They are a highly trained covert military group. It will take years to train their replacements. In the interim, the capability for which they were trained is seriously impaired.
Who could have possibly sent 22 of our finest on a mission where they would essentially function as combat infantrymen? Did this same individual decide to pack them all into a slow, unmaneuverable helicopter? The taxpayers have provided fast, heavily armed, quiet running and highly maneuverable Apache gunships which, at the very least, could have preceded the operation by clearing out enemy ground troops.
The military or its civilian watchdogs must review this tragic, unnecessary loss of our finest and identify and remove the individual(s) responsible.
Bill Gorman, Plainview
Sarra Sounds Off, Ep. 17: Olympics a possibility for Long Beach wrestler? On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," Newsday's Gregg Sarra talks with Long Beach wrestler Dunia Sibomana-Rodriguez about pursuing a third state title and possibly competing in the Olympics in 2028, plus Jared Valluzzi has the plays of the week.
