Betrayed: The Shocking True Story of Extortion 17 as told by a Navy SEAL's Father

This book is one every American should read! As an avid supporter of our military I was already painfully aware of the dangers this administration's ROE and tactics overseas have put our soldiers in, but to see it at this level of detail and with such specific examples brought tears to my eyes the entire time I was reading (and as I am typing this). I did also recently read Marcus Luttrell's book, Service, and the tragedy of Extortion 17 is described there as well. Aaron is specifically mentioned, so when I saw Mr. Vaughn wrote this book I immediately added it to my list. Amidst the very disheartening truth about our government, this is a story of a brotherhood stronger than some family ties...of the families left behind and their strength to keep moving on. Aaron's wife is a pillar of strength. Rest in peace to all we have lost and thank you for your service.

Best Navy Seal's, brave warriors lost their lives while being flown into hot battle zone in outdated, slow, troop transport carriers that are not even safe from an armed 5 years old kid, rather than using modern MH-47 Chinooks that are designed to get in and out of hotspots quickly and dodge the shots... One of most brave warriors, Aaron's parents, having some doubts in mind, in their search discover not only the shocking truth about that fateful night but answers of many questions, that I believe, most American citizens ask over and over, yet left scratching their heads with screwed up replays. I am not an American, neither had interest in politics, but had my own questions based mainly on feelings of how much America has been changed in last few years. Why it's not war but conflict, if more US soldiers lost lives in conflict than in war? Why US Army does not sound as powerful as years ago? Why it makes more sound than action? Why today more Christians who show support and kindness to Muslims (this is what our wonderful religion demands) don't pronounce name 'Jesus' but say 'God'? Why don't they let even the most friendly Muslims know it's our God, our Jesus who sends us do good, not their Allah answers their prayers and uses infidels, Peter(s), Judas(s) to serve them? How can these 'christians' make Islamic or any other religion respect our faith and culture as we do theirs, when they put shame on it, with excuse 'it's not diplomatic and is against Muslims rights and feelings'? Who will bless good Christian deeds then, if they hit an other nail in Jesus body? Why Obama won't accept Armenian Genocide as promised before elections? More than million most horrible deaths of a Christian nation... And actually why this seemingly perfect deal ROE, that sounds so protective and human, does not feel right deal either? So many questions that this single book gives fair answers and opens eyes. BETRAYED! Unfair deaths of real faithful heroes who fall also for those ROE faithful servants, who are more busy making extraordinary heroes out of ordinary islamists that appear to care a little for own civilization. Unfair deaths of real heroes, who had no right to demand 'no cursing' from imam, neither 'no prayer' from a renegade chaplain over their dead bodies. More questions after reading this heartbreaking story: Who is the soldier under ROE? A babysitter armed with tissues and soft shoulders to comfort so sensitive Muslims, and a kid with weapon that can't use even for defense? A protection for Muslims from other Muslims and from himself? Isn't it obvious that this rules are not made for winning Muslims hearts and minds, but the opposite? Isn't it obvious that ROE is for wild radicals to keep detonating planes and buildings, and for making fruitful soil for civil friendlies to wax hearts and minds with their theological and cultural values? A weapon for Islam that skillfully uses and directs even famous 'American ignorance' to American fundamental civilians rights, culture and values. In all cases, today Islam is a good chess player, that perfectly uses its multiple faces according the situation. Dear Billy & Karen Vaughns, Thank you for your bravery. No wonder where your son Aaron received his brave heart. No doubt he and his fallen friends are real heroes who must be honored, as they chose to serve by honoring those, whose battle and lost lives made America the country that whole world used to look up to.

Update August 2022 - Since I wrote this review I have received some additional input a) A report by an AC-130 pilot who described seeing and reporting suspicious activity near the intended landing zone just prior to the launch of multiple rockets at the helo and b) several sources describing the high level of compromised US/Afghan operations originating with members of the Afghan "partner" forces. My recollection is that the Afghan component onboard the helo was a last minute substitution for Afghans who had been briefed on the mission including the LZ location. Finally as a pilot and looking at a topo chart of the area the valley was very narrow and knowing only that the helo was inbound from a general direction selection of a workable launch site would not be very difficult. Great read about a sad story that should never have happened. A father's story of a larger than life son who was inspired by 9-11 to become a Seal. The tragedy of loosing that son in an helo shootdown that should never have happened. The further story of a coverup and deception that's become all too common today. When it seems the coverup and lies can go no further the author unveils another level of corruption and deception. Most disturbing were the notes regarding conversations with senior military officers with line responsibility for special forces in the region (unless control has been delegated to other commanders) What's especially disturbing is that the costly lessons so tragically learned at Desert 1, Somalia and Tarkur Gahr were so casually forgotten by the armchair generals and politicians running the so called war. Desert 1 taught the special forces that their missions demanded both special air assets and pilots. Somalia taught us the hard lessons snd high of going to war without taking critical assets (AC-130's), especially when they are left behind for political reasons. Extortion 17 taught us again the highly predictable cost of not using the right equipment, the right pilots and of neutering the AC-130 gunships. The difference between the helos is the difference between your family sedan and a NASCAR racer. It can do things your car can not do. The difference between the guard pilots and the special operations pilots is the difference between a highly skilled chauffeur, perhaps with some defensive driving skills , and the capabilities of an experienced racer. There's also the issues of lack of planning, swapout of the Afghan troops, lack of attention to the landing zone and approach until the last moments and the willingness to send American troops into battle in a helo which should have been in the junkyard while breaking most every rule of sound operations. Digging further it's trying to wage war on the cheap while shoveling trillions into social programs, wall street bailouts, insider deals and "assistance" to those who have promised to kill us. Add to this a military which is rapidly being purged of officers who are deemed to be too loyal to the Constitution and not pliable enough for the administration. Flowing into the gaps are officers who have reversed the age old pledge of a military officer to rank his concerns as mission - men - me with the me at the low end of the priorities, not the top. Yes, the author's passions and grief get in the way of objective writing on occasion; however, it took someone with this highly focused passion to bring the story into the light. For that I am grateful and highly recommend this outstanding book.

When I first heard of the loss of Extortion 17, I smelled a rat. Yet I had no idea where to look for it. Billy Vaughn's story of his son and the brave SEALs who have gone to places we cannot imagine has flushed out the rat, and brought it out to the open where we can see it in the light. This story is one every American should read, and vow wholeheartedly that we should never again place our best warriors into a situation in which politics trumps common sense. Billy Vaughn's book is a clear, concise, and detailed story of how he discovered what was actually behind the most devastating loss in our war in Afghanistan.

BETRAYED - The Shocking True Story Of Extortion 17 As Told By A Navy SEAL's father. When I ordered this book I had no idea what I was about to find out. Extortion 17 was nothing I had ever heard of but I figured it would be an interesting read. I had NO idea what I was about to learn! We had all heard “Osama Bin Laden was dead” and then when our Vice President came out and told us it was SEAL TEAM 6 who had carried out that assignment, I for one was appalled! To me, these men were like “dark shadows” never to be known by anyone. At the time I felt he had just put a big target on their back, but who am I? As I started reading, I found this was a father’s relentless search for the truth about what happened to his son! His son was a member of that SEAL TEAM 6! He was aboard the helicopter which was shot down in Afghanistan. This is the helicopter that killed his son and 29 others aboard. This book will take you into the world of our governments attempt to keep the facts from this father and the American people. Mr. Vaughn never gave up and what he discovered will shock you. It’s not just heresy. He has documents from our government to back up what they did. They are scanned into the book. You can see for yourself. You will learn about our militaries new “Rules of Engagement” (ROE) and how our government will sacrifice our own soldiers to “play nice with the enemy!” I recommend this book to EVERYONE! We live in a very different time now, one that we are not even aware of. It isn’t pretty. Especially if you have people in your family or friends who have fought for our Freedoms and to see how our government values the enemy above our own soldiers!! May God Help Us and My God Bless America. My heart goes out to the Vaughn family for all they went through to get the answers they desperately needed to know. Thank you, Mr. Vaughn for sharing your findings. I feel your pain in knowing what happened that night. There are no words to help with that pain. But please know that sharing your findings has helped me see the real truth behind our government’s total lack of concern or respect for our military men and women. Thank you sir, For Aaron’s service and for those who served with him. God Bless them. They are true Hero’s. Gwen Lewis

I wish every American would read this book. It touches on an array of subjects and wakes up many emotions. One is how the Rules of Engagement put forth by our current administration is endangering our Military. For instance: 2001-2008 (7 yrs) American Military deaths-630 with 2,638 wounded in action, compared to 2009-2012 (4 yrs) American Military deaths-1,544 with 15,036 wounded in action. Mr. Vaughn says this is one reason he continues to want to get this message out there, he worries about our Military having to work under these rules, which I feel are totally absurd and puts them in undue harms way. Another touches on what is going so wrong in America, I have researched and knew a lot of these facts on my own, Billy Vaughn hits the nail on the head. People need to really become aware, that's why I say it's a must read for everyone, in hopes that we can turn this Great Nation back around.

A very sad story about the loss of life that never should have happened as told the father of one of the SEALS killed when Extortion 17 was shot down. It appears to be well researched and told in a carefully thought out way about the role our government played in the loss of these men and, once again, the subsequent cover-up. It tells the story beyond the loss of life about a government whose leadership is in over their collective heads and places so many incumbrances ou our fighting force that they are defenseless in the face of the enemy. Where are all the warriors? is a question that is being asked over and over again. Well, this book points out where they have gone and why. Our military is not there to win the hearts and minds of the enemy ~ they are there to destroy them and keep this country safe. Sadly, with all the talk and rhetoric out of this administration they have managed to sacrifice the lives of many in order to be politically correct. This book provides a window into the minds of the current administration and military leadership who are more interested in protecting this who wish to do us harm than protecting those who keep us safe. This should be a must read book for everyone beginning with Congress, the President and his entire staff. Fiirst this, then Genghazi and now the beheadings. Wake up America and take a good look at what is truly happening!!

First off, my deepest sympathies to the Vaugh family for their senseless loss. As a military mom myself and many other military families we have given our greatest gifts to this government, our children, in the hopes that our government will watch out for them and not consider them expendable, this is not the case. The ROE that these soldiers have to deal with is ridiculous, they risk their lives in fear of military justice. I wish I had read your book prior to my son and nephew enlisting in the military, you have truly opened my eyes to the corruption and cover ups that occur. To "win the hearts and minds" should never be a strategy when it comes to war, it's war not a dinner party, tell that to my friend who lost her husband during 9/11 for simply going to work that day. All of those that our in our military should be able to do what they were trained to do, and not be held back by politicians.

Lots of insight into what happened. Very unfortunate story told from an EXTREMELY biased view but I REALLY feel bad for the author. Worth reading but gets repetetive after a while. Terrible what happened.

Directly to Billy - I am truly sad for your (and Karen's) lose, as I am sad for all lost fighting this war protecting your country and mine. This book is written through the eyes of Billy and he's beliefs views are pushed very strongly. I found it hard particularly early in the book to find the facts and the story among the constant religious references. That said this book opens up well and the facts, conversations, quotes and this story truly come alive in the second half.

The authors one of whom I had the pleasure of meeting once at a conference held in the honor of his deceased soldier-son compiled an interesting if Not amazongly thought provoking account of ambiguity I. Outcomes of national missions into foreign teritorries. Highly recommendable reads

Great informational piece about SEALS and their prior secrecy was outed by high level politicans leading to their deaths. Unfortunately the author goes on and on repeating often these problems in far too much detail for me. As well you get the sense that unless Seals are Christian that they may have problems