Mahoning Valley congressman calls for formal inquiry on deaths of SEALS

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson, a U.S. Air Force veteran, is asking the secretary of defense to conduct an inquiry into the death of 30 U.S. troops killed when their helicopter was shot down in Afghanistan.

“I call on the leaders in the Pentagon to review the requests of commanders in the field to ensure that the equipment and rules of engagement in Afghanistan are sufficient to protect our fighting forces,” said Johnson of Marietta, R-6th, who was a member of the Special Operations Command during his time in the Air Force.

Johnson, who represents Columbiana County and portions of Mahoning County, said he’s sending a letter today to Leon Panetta, secretary of defense, asking for his assistance with this inquiry.

Many of the 30 U.S. troops killed Saturday were Navy SEALS. They were on their way to help an Army ranger unit under fire from insurgents in Afghanistan. Also, eight Afghans in the helicopter died. It is the worst single-day toll for American soldiers in Afghanistan since troops entered the country nearly 10 years ago.

Read the full story Monday in The Vindicator and on Vindy.com.