Names Released of 3 Airmen Connected to Fort Bragg

Thursday the names of the fallen victims of Saturday's tragic accident were officially released. Three airmen connected to Fort Bragg's Pope Field were Tech Sgt. John W. Brown, Staff Sgt. Daniel L. Zerbe and Staff Sgt. Andy Harvell.

Brown, 33, was a native of Tallahassee, Fla., who lived in Pinehurst. Harvell, 26, was from Long Beach, Calif. and lived in Southern Pines. Zerbe, 28, was a native of York, Pa., who lived in Sanford.

Family and friends had already confirmed the airmen's deaths to media outlets before their names were released by Defense Secretary Leon Panetta.

A release from Air Force Special Operations Command said Brown was posthumously promoted because he had been selected for promotion earlier this month.

"This crash leaves us in AFSOC with heavy hearts," Lt. Gen. Eric Fiel, AFSOC commander, said in the release. "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."

The three airmen were part of a team that included Navy SEALS from the group that had just helped rescue an Army Ranger unit before their helicopter was hit by insurgents, officials said.