I never served or met any JTF2 members but I'm sure there are people here who have.

SrA Jason D. Cunningham, USAF Pararescueman



In the early morning of March 4, 2002, two SEAL teams under the command of TF 11 were tasked to establish an observation point (OP) on the peak of Takur Ghar to support on-going U.S. and Afghan military operations in the Shahi-Kot Valley as part of Operation Anaconda. As a result of command and control ambiguitities, resulting from a change in command over the US special forces in the operation, and mechanical difficulties with the two MH-47E Chinook helicopters that were to insert the SEAL teams, a landing zone was chosen on the peak itself instead of a landing zone offset of the peak. The SEALs experienced heavy resistance from the Taliban and Al-Qaida forces entrenched on Takur Ghar, suffering several casualties and heavy damage to the Chinooks. The SEALs requested the assistance of the US Army Ranger Quick reaction force stationed at Bagram Air Base, of which Senior Airman Cunningham was attached as part of a US Air Force Special Tactics team.

The Quick reaction force experienced communications difficulties en route to Takur Ghar, and did not receive the correct coordinates for the offset landing zone. Instead, the force attempted to land at the peak around 0610 hours and the Chinook carrying Cunningham was shot down after a RPG destroyed the helicopter's right engine. Heavy rifle and machine gun fire was directed at the downed Chinook, causing "three fatalities and five critical casualties." Cunningham quickly went to work inside the aircraft on Specialist Marc Anderson, but Anderson had died immediately after being hit by small-arms fire as the Rangers began to leave the Chinook. Cunningham remained inside the helicopter, which remained a large target for the Taliban and Al-Qaida forces, to treat the wounded along with an Army medic, Cory Lamereaux. The soldiers inside the Chinook were visible to enemy fighters on the peak, forcing Cunningham and Lamereaux to move the wounded under enemy small-arms and mortar fire from the Chinook to a location behind the helicopter with less exposure to enemy fire.  Cunningham and Lamereaux were able to stabilize the casualties, but they required helicopter medevac. After reinforcements had arrived and the Rangers had cleared the peak and were awaiting extraction and medevac pickup, a small enemy group counterattacked. While continuing to administer an IV to a wounded aircrew member, Cunningham and Lamereaux were hit.Cunningham was hit in the pelvic region at 1232 hours and was bleeding heavily. He was listed as an "urgent surgical" casualty, which requires immediate evacuation in order to save the patient's life. However, commanders were wary to commit another helicopter in daylight, even though the on-scene tactical air controller said it was safe to do so with adequate close air support. While waiting for medevac, Senior Airman Cunningham died of his wounds at approximately 1810 hours. Helicopters arrived at 2015 hours to evacuate the remaining Rangers, SEALs, and their casualties.

On 13 September 2002, the SECAF posthumously awarded the the Air Force Cross to Jason Cunningham. The ceremony was an extremely emotional event. Approximately 1400 persons were in attendance. Over 500 PJ's were in the audience, all proudly wearing  maroon berets. The PJ's included active duty, air national guard, reserve, and retirees. Many of these men were hardened combat veterans but were either moved to tears or close to it.