SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) - The U.S. Defense Department revealed Monday Navy SEAL Nicolas Checque was killed during the successful rescue of a Colorado doctor in Afghanistan. Now a retired Navy SEAL is giving ABC 4 an inside look into intense dangers Navy SEALS face each mission.
If you look at dangerous military missions like those performed by Navy SEALs, you might fear for your life, but for Navy SEALs- they barely think about.
"It's different kind of mind set," said Lt. Larry Yatch, retired Navy SEAL.
That’s retired Navy SEAL Lt. Larry Yatch. Monday Reporter Brian Carlson spoke with him on Skype. Yatch was a member of SEAL Team Three which performed everything from top secret missions to trainings in Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. He said Navy SEAL Nicholas Checque likely never worried about the fatal mission that took his life.
"We know there's a risk we'll be killed or injured during an operation and you learn to accept that and move on," said Yatch.
Checque was killed over the weekend, rescuing American Dr. Dilip Joseph abducted by the Taliban. Yatch said Checque was part of an elite group of soldiers who endure rigorous training.
"From the very beginning of SEAL training you're presented with challenges and tasks that you would not only deem impossible but also highly dangerous, that's why most of the trainees quit," said Yatch.
Yatch said Navy SEAL members who last, carry an intense burden.
"These people you literally trust your life with on a daily basis," Yatch said.
When a Navy SEAL like Checque dies, it's more than just mourning their life.
"When you lose one of your brother's there's a feeling of loss but there's also a feeling of helplessness of not being able to help," he said.
Similar to Checque, Yatch was injured during a Navy SEAL mission. He said to this day it pains him that can't go back and help his fellow brothers fight for freedom.
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Follow Brian Carlson on Twitter: @tv_briancarlson
