THE PENTAGON HAS RELEASED THE IDENTITIES of the 30 U.S. troops killed Saturday when their CH-47 Chinook was shot down in eastern Afghanistan.

THE RELEASE CAME AFTER PANETTA OVERRULED security concerns by USSOCOM leaders over the presence of special operations troops on the mission. Of the 30, 17 were Navy SEALs, five were other naval special operators and three were Air Force special operators. In deference to those concerns, the Navy personnel were not identified by unit.

BUT OFFICIALS WERE WELL AWARE that families of those killed had already provided reporters with much of the information, including the fact that the SEALs were part of the Naval Special Warfare Development Group, commonly known as SEAL Team Six.

You can read the list here: http://1.usa.gov/mXi9KG. Our story is here: http://politi.co/pnq3Lp
Go to POLITICO Morning Defense Now >> http://www.politico.com/morningdefense