Sad news to report. A United States Army Helicopter, a Blackhawk, crashed in southwestern Afganistan. Initial reports state that as many as four U.S. military personnel have been killed. The Blackhawk was participating in a nighttime mission. As of right now the cause of crash is unknown.

This morning Operation Ward 57 will be holding Staff Sergeant Travis Mills and his family in our thoughts and prayers. SSG Mills sadly lost all limbs in Afghanistan due to an IED blast on April 10th and is currently undergoing surgeries and treatment.

Staff Sergeant Oliver Hughes celebrates his first “Alive Day” today. Hughes lost his left leg in Afghanistan on April 13, 2011.

Sgt. Dennis P. Weichel died March 22, from injuries sustained when he was struck by an armored fighting vehicle after moving an Afghan child to safety.

On Friday, March 23, 2012 United States Army Staff Sergeant Robert Bales was formally charged with 17 counts of premeditated murder.

At this time we would like to take a moment to remember SGT Jamie Jarboe, a wounded solider who passed away from injuries sustained a year earlier. SGT Jamie Jarboe & his family are in our thoughts and prayers.

A female marine who served in Iraq for more than three years is now fighting to adopt the German Shepherd who she survived a roadside bomb with.

Six British soldiers were killed after an explosion hit their armored vehicle in southwestern Afghanistan, Britain’s Ministry of Defense said. It was the biggest loss of life for British forces in the country since a plane crash in 2006.

On March 6, 2012 Chief Warrant Officer Edward Cantrell, a decorated Green Beret, lost his life while trying to save his two daughters from a fire in their home.

As of March 3, 2012 an estimated 4,801 United States Service Members have been killed in the conflicts overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan. Also, an additional 47,661 service members have been wounded.