FAST and KCO Memorial Dedication
FAST KCO Memorial Unveiled In Honor of Fallen DEA Special Agents and Military Personnel Ahead of 24th Anniversary of September 11
WASHINGTON – On September 4, 2025, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration unveiled and dedicated a new memorial in honor of 10 Foreign-deployed Advisory and Support Team (FAST) members – three DEA Special Agents and seven U.S. military personnel – whose lives were lost in a helicopter crash in western Afghanistan in 2009.
Forrest N. Leamon
Special Agent
November 22, 1971 - October 26, 2009
Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent Forrest N. Leamon was killed on October 26, 2009, when the U.S. military helicopter he was in crashed while returning from a joint counter-narcotics mission in western Afghanistan. Special Agent Leamon was a member of DEA’s foreign-deployed Advisory and Support Team Echo, assigned to Afghanistan. He was 37 years of age at the time of his death.
Special Agent Leamon grew up in Ukiah, California. He graduated in 1999 from the University of Maryland with a bachelor’s degree in computer studies. Special Agent Leamon served in the United States Navy as a cryptologic technician for nine years. He joined DEA in 2002 and was assigned to the Washington, D.C. Field Division. In 2003, he was transferred to the El Paso, Texas Field Division and played a major role in several significant international enforcement operations against Mexico-based drug trafficking organizations. Special Agent Leamon volunteered to serve as a member of DEA’s newly formed FAST Team, serving multiple tours of duty in Afghanistan.
Special Agent Leamon was survived by his wife, Ana Lopez; their unborn son, Luke; his parents, Sue and Richard; and his sister, Heather.
Chad L. Michael
Special Agent
February 22, 1979 - October 26, 2009
Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent Chad L. Michael was killed on October 26, 2009, when the U.S. military helicopter he was in crashed while returning from a joint counter-narcotics mission in western Afghanistan. Special Agent Michael was a member of DEA’s foreign-deployed Advisory and Support Team Alpha, assigned to Afghanistan. He was 30 years of age at the time of his death.
Special Agent Michael grew up in northeastern Pennsylvania. He graduated in 2001 from Saint Leo University in Florida with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. Special Agent Michael began his law enforcement career as a patrol officer with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office in Tampa, Florida. He joined DEA in 2004 and was assigned to the Miami Field Division, serving for six years in Enforcement Group Six. In September 2009, Special Agent Michael volunteered to serve as a member of DEA’s FAST Team.
Special Agent Michael was survived by his fiancée, Paola Berrio; his mother, Debra; his stepfather, Leo Hartz; five brothers, Eric Michael, Russell Hartz, Edward Hartz, Leo Hartz, II, and Justin Hartz; and one sister, Cara Hartz.
Michael E. Weston
Special Agent
December 29, 1971 - October 26, 2009
Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent Michael E. Weston was killed on October 26, 2009, when the U.S. military helicopter he was in crashed while returning from a joint counter-narcotics mission in western Afghanistan. Special Agent Weston was assigned to the Kabul, Afghanistan Country Office. He was 37 years of age at the time of his death.
Special Agent Weston grew up in Pennsylvania and California. He graduated with distinction from Stanford University in 1994 with degrees in computer science and economics. He went on to graduate from the Harvard University School of Law with his Juris Doctor, cum laude, in 1997.
Special Agent Weston served in the United States Navy and Marine Corps in a variety of capacities, including as a Special Assistant United States Attorney and a squad leader. He was stationed at Camp Pendleton, California, and deployed to Iraq, Norway, the Panama Canal, and various other locations, where he earned numerous awards. Special Agent Weston joined DEA in January 2004 and was assigned to the Richmond, Virginia District Office. He volunteered to join the Kabul Country Office in August 2009.
Special Agent Weston was survived by his wife Cynthia Tidler; his mother, Judy Zarit; his father, Steven; and his brother, Thomas.
7th Special Forces Group
SFC David E. Metzger
April 7, 1977 - October 26, 2009
Sgt. 1st Class David E. Metzger, 32, died on October 26, 2009 when the helicopter he was aboard crashed while conducting a combat mission in the city of Darreh-Ye Bum, Afghanistan while serving with Company B, 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne).
He deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom July 2009 as a member of Combined Joint Operation Task Force - Afghanistan. This was his third deployment to Afghanistan in support of the War on Terror.
Metzger, born in San Diego, California, enlisted in September 1996 as an Ammunitions Specialist. He later attended the SF Qualification Course, graduating in 2007, as an 18E Special Forces Communications Sergeant and was assigned to 3rd BN, 7th SFG (A).
Metzger's military education includes the Warrior Leader Course, Basic Non-Commissioned Officer Course, Advanced Non-Commissioned Officer Course, Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escaped Course, Special Forces Communications Sergeant Course, Special Forces Advanced Urban Combat Course, Air Movement Operations Course, Basic Airborne Course and Jumpmaster Course.
His awards and Decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, Army Superior Unit Award, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Non-Commissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Ribbon, NATO Medal. Metzger also earned the Combat Infantryman's Badge, Parachutist Badge, and the Special Forces Tab.
Metzger is survived by his sons, David and Grant, who reside in Fort Bragg, N.C. He is also survived by his parents David Metzger and Lisandra Holstein, as well as his grandmother Dolores of San Diego, Calif.
SSG Keith R. Bishop
January 15, 1981 - October 26, 2009
Staff Sgt. Keith R. Bishop, 28, died on October 26, 2009, died on October 26, 2009 when the helicopter he was aboard crashed while conducting a combat mission in the city of Darreh-Ye Bum, Afghanistan while serving with Company B, 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne).
He deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom July 2009 as a member of Combined Joint Operation Task Force - Afghanistan. This was his second deployment in support of the War on Terror.
Bishop a native of Medford, N.Y., enlisted into the U.S. Army in April 2003 as an Infantryman. He was assigned to the 1st Bn., 506 Infantry Regiment, Camp Grieves, Korea. He later served with 1st BN, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division before deciding to pursue the goal of becoming a Special Forces Soldier in 2007 by attending the Special Forces Selection and Assessment. He completed the Special Forces Qualification Course October 2008 and earned the coveted "Green Beret" as a Special Forces weapons sergeant. He was then assigned to 3rd BN, 7th SFG (A).
Bishop's military education includes the Warrior Leader's Course, Basic NCO Course, Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course, Basic Airborne Course, Air Assault Course and Special Forces Qualification Course.
His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal for Valor, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Air Assault Badge, Parachutist Badge, and the Special Forces Tab.
Bishop is survived by his wife Margaret of Flagler Beach, Fla. and parents Robert and Suzan Bishop, of Carlisle, Pa.
160th Special Operations
Aviation Regiment
CW4 Michael P. Montgomery
June 10, 1973 - October 26, 2009
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
CW3 Niall D. Lyons
August 28, 1969 - October 26, 2009
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
SSG Shawn H. McNabb
May 14, 1985 - October 26, 2009
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.
SGT Josue E. Hernandez-Chavez
May 5, 1986 - October 26, 2009
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.
SGT Nickolas A. Mueller
June 21, 1983 - October 26, 2009
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.
Honoring Our Heroes
The FAST and KCO Memorial stands as a poignant tribute to the fallen, featuring a shadowbox crafted from items recovered from the helicopter crash, serving as an early tribute to their memory. The Memorial features the emblems under which the fallen served and was designed to complement the 9/11 Memorial at DEA Headquarters. The combined Memorials recall the bravery and sacrifice of DEA agents and their allies in response to horrific terrorist attacks on Americans.
These men will never be forgotten.
