Obama meets families of soldiers killed in Afghan crash
At least 30 Americans died in helicopter crash, including forces from unit used in Pakistan sting on Osama bin Laden
US president Barack Obama honoured 30 US soldiers killed in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan as their remains returned home Tuesday in a private ceremony from which the media were barred (AFP/Getty Images) A US Marine carry team moves the transfer case of US Marine Sgt. Joshua J Robinson, during a dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base on August 9, 2011 in Dover, Delaware. Sgt Robinson who was from Omaha, NE, was killed on August 7, while participating in combat operations in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan (Getty Images) US President Barack Obama walks with Colonel Mark Camerer, the 436th Airlift Wing Commander (AFP/Getty Images) Three days after Taliban militants shot down a Chinook helicopter, killing all 38 people on board, many questions remain - including whether protocol was followed as elite US forces were sent to help comrades in a firefight (AFP/Getty Images) US President Barack Obama's motorcade drives on the tarmac at Dover Air Force Base August 9, 2011, after he met privately with families of the 30 Americans that died in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan (AFP/Getty Images) US President Barack Obama (L) speaks with Colonel Mark Camerer, the 436th Airlift Wing Commander, as he prepares to depart Dover Air Force Base August 9, 2011, after privately meeting with families of the 30 Americans that died in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan. (AFP/Getty Images) In this handout photo provided by the White House, US President Barack Obama (R), in the process of saluting, participates in a ceremony at Dover Air Force Base August 9, 2011 in Dover, Delaware (Getty Images) Military chaplains pay respects in front of the transfer cases of US Marine Sgt. Adan Gonzales Jr, and US Marine Sgt. Sgt Joshua J Robinson, during a dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base on August 9, 2011 in Dover, Delaware. Sgt. Gonzales who was from Bakersfield, CA, was killed on August 7, while participating in combat operations in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan. (Getty Images) While the number of casualties was a stark reminder of the costs of the Afghan war - it was the single deadliest incident of the 10-year conflict - the Pentagon strictly barred reporters from witnessing the ceremony (Getty Images) Because of the catastrophic nature of the crash, the military has been unable to individually identify the remains of the victims, including those of Afghans (AFP/Getty Images)
