Crash kills combat controller who trained at Keesler Published Aug. 17, 2011 By Air Force News Service and 81st Training Wing Public Affairs WASHINGTON -- Three Air Force Special Operations Command Airmen died Aug. 6 when their aircraft, a coalition CH-47 Chinook, crashed in the Maiden Wardak Province in eastern Afghanistan. They were among 25 U.S. Special Operations Command operators who died in the crash, which also took the lives of five U.S. Soldiers, seven Afghan commandos and one civilian interpreter. All three Airmen were assigned to the 24th Special Tactics Squadron, Pope Field, N.C. Staff Sgt. Andrew Harvell, 26, of Long Beach, Calif., graduated from the combat control operator course in the 334th Training Squadron in June 2003. All Air Force combat controllers begin their technical training at Keesler. The two Air Force pararescuemen who died are Tech. Sgts. Daniel Zerbe, 28, of York, Pa., and Tech. Sgt. John Brown, 33, of Tallahassee, Fla.. "This crash leaves us in AFSOC with heavy hearts," said Lt. Gen. Eric Fiel, AFSOC commander. "My deepest sympathies extend to the families of our fallen brethren and to their teammates. As we remember their sacrifice, we will press on and continue to provide unparalleled air support to our combatant commanders."