Casualties

A U.S. Navy veteran before he joined DEA, Forrest was thorough, reliable, and carried out his duties with military precision. A devoted family man, he was detail-oriented, generous and always ready to be a mentor to others. He had a caring personality and would bring soccer balls and art supplies to school children in Kabul during his deployments to Afghanistan. His gentle and serious demeanor earned him some good-humored teasing from his teammates, who remember him for bringing some maturity to the team of boisterous young agents.

Chad had an outgoing personality and bonded easily with those around him. His energy, adventurous nature and roguish sense of humor earned him many friends in FAST who remember him as someone they enjoyed spending time with and who they knew they could always depend on. The bright force of Chad’s personality left a strong mark on everyone who knew him.

Michael was a hard-working and brilliant investigator who volunteered to join the Kabul Country Office in 2009. Dedicated to serving his country, he served in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps prior to joining DEA, earning numerous awards. He had a warm-hearted and adventurous personality and was much-loved by his family, friends and colleagues. He touched all who met him with his kindness and devotion to duty.

SA James “Terry” Watson, killed on June 20, 2013. Terry played an intricate role in the development of the FAST program and served three deployments in Afghanistan.

Reassigned to Colombia, Terry brought his investigative skillset and dedication to the Cartagena Country Office. While in Bogota for a coordination meeting, Terry was targeted, kidnapped, and stabbed by a criminal group in an elaborate robbery conspiracy. He was able to escape, but, tragically, his injuries proved fatal. Those involved in his murder were captured and sentenced to decades in prison.

Terry’s comrades from FAST remember him as a reliable teammate and an exceptional investigator.

A native of San Diego, California, Sergeant First Class David E. Metzger was killed on October 26, 2009 in Darreh-Ye Bum, Afghanistan, when the MH-47 Chinook helicopter he was aboard crashed during a combat operation.

Metzger enlisted in the Army as an Ammunition Specialist in September 1996. He graduated from the Special Forces Qualification Course in 2007 and was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

SFC Metzger was serving as a Communications Sergeant in 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group. He was supporting Operation ENDURING FREEDOM when he was killed.

A native of Medford, New York, Staff Sergeant Keith R. Bishop was killed on October 26, 2009 in Darreh-Ye Bum, Afghanistan, in a helicopter crash while supporting Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.

Bishop enlisted in the Army in April 2003 as an Infantryman. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, Camp Grieves, Republic of Korea. He later served with 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, Camp Casey, Republic of Korea. He graduated from the Special Forces Qualification Course in 2008 and was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

SSG Bishop was serving as a Weapons Sergeant with 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group when he was killed.

A native of Redmond, Washington, Chief Warrant Officer 4 Michael P. Montgomery was killed on October 26, 2009 when the MH-47 Chinook he was flying crashed during a combat operation in Darreh-Ye Bum, Afghanistan.

Montgomery enlisted in the Washington Army National Guard in October 1991. He graduated from flight school at Fort Rucker, Alabama in 1996 and was assigned to 1st Battalion, 185th Aviation Regiment and 1st Battalion, 168th Aviation Regiment, Camp Murray, Washington. In 2004 he served at the Western Army National Guard Training Site, Marana, Arizona, as a Senior Instructor Pilot and Instrument Flight Examiner. In 2006, he completed Green Platoon and was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia.

CW4 Montgomery was supporting Operation ENDURING FREEDOM at the time of his death.

A native of Spokane, Washington, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Niall D. Lyons was killed on October 26, 2009 in Darreh-Ye Bum, Afghanistan, when his MH-47 Chinook crashed during a combat operation.

Lyons enlisted in the Army in October 1994. He graduated from flight school at Fort Rucker, Alabama, in 1999 and was assigned as a Tactical Operations Officer in the 17th Cavalry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. After an assignment to Fort Rucker as an instructor, he served with the 3rd Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, Fort Drum, New York. He completed Green Platoon in 2009, and was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia.

CW3 Lyons was supporting Operation ENDURING FREEDOM at the time of his death.

A native of Terrell, Texas, Staff Sergeant Shawn H. McNabb was killed on October 26, 2009 in Darreh- Ye Bum, Afghanistan, when his MH-47 Chinook crashed during a combat operation.

McNabb enlisted in the Army as a Health Care Specialist in July 2003. After training at Fort Benning, Georgia, and Fort Sam Houston, Texas, he was assigned to the 702nd Combat Support Medical Company, Camp Casey, Republic of Korea. In 2005 he completed Green Platoon and was assigned as an Emergency Care Sergeant to 3rd Battalion, the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia.

SSG McNabb was supporting Operation ENDURING FREEDOM at the time of his death.

A native of Las Vegas, Nevada, Sergeant Josue E. Hernandez-Chavez was killed on October 26, 2009 in Darreh-Ye Bum, Afghanistan, when his MH-47 Chinook crashed during a combat operation.

Hernandez-Chavez enlisted in the Army in February 2005. After completing Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training, he graduated Green Platoon and joined the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment. He was assigned as a Medium Helicopter Repairman to 3rd Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia. In August 2006, he was reclassified as a Flight Engineer.

SGT Hernandez-Chavez had six combat deployments and was supporting Operation ENDURING FREEDOM at the time of his death.

A native of Little Chute, Wisconsin, Sergeant Nickolas
A. Mueller was killed on October 26, 2009 in Darreh- Ye Bum, Afghanistan, when his MH-47 Chinook crashed during a combat operation.

Mueller enlisted in the Army as a Medium Helicopter Repairer in June 2004. After Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training, he was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 52nd Aviation Regiment, Camp Humphreys, Republic of Korea. In 2007, he completed Green Platoon and joined 3rd Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia, as a Flight Engineer.

SGT Mueller was supporting Operation ENDURING FREEDOM at the time of his death.