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'A Leap Into The Unkown'
Updated: 09:17, Wednesday January 17, ...
'A Leap Into The Unkown'
Updated: 09:17, Wednesday January 17, 2007
Royal Marines have carried out one of the most daring rescue missions ever staged to retrieve the body of a fallen comrade in Afghanistan.
It followed a ferocious battle in which 200 British troops backed by artillery, helicopters and aircraft raided a fort believed to be a major headquarters for Taliban militants.
Officials say that as the troops advanced they were engaged from several insurgent positions.
On retreat they discovered one Marine was missing and four men volunteered to go on a daring rescue mission.
Apache attack helicopters were used to mount the raid.
They have no room for passengers inside, so incredibly the Marines strapped themselves to the aircrafts' small side wings.
They then flew into the battle zone to locate Lance corporal Mathew Ford, the pilots also leaving the helicopters to give covering fire.
L Cpl Ford had died in the original attack but his body was recovered.
UK Task Force spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Rory Bruce, speaking on Sky News, said the heroic action was a "leap into the unknown".
"This is believed to be the first time UK forces have ever tried this type of rescue mission," he said.
"It was an extraordinary tale of heroism and bravery of our airmen, soldiers and marines who were all prepared to put themselves back into the line of fire to rescue a fallen comrade."
"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if
they made a difference in the world. But, the [U.S.]
Marines don't have that problem."
-- Ronald Reagan
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We actually got to go out and do that one time with the CAV squad. They have special points that you can be attached to for extractions.
While I was in Iraq there were 2 Apaches flying a mission. One got shot down, the other Apache landed and picked up the crew. The one that was hurt the most they put in the front seat of the Apache and the other 2 were strapped to the sides of the Apache and they flew to the nearest base.
We actually got to go out and do that one time with the CAV squad. They have special points that you can be attached to for extractions.
While I was in Iraq there were 2 Apaches flying a mission. One got shot down, the other Apache landed and picked up the crew. The one that was hurt the most they put in the front seat of the Apache and the other 2 were strapped to the sides of the Apache and they flew to the nearest base.
Was pretty amazing.
Would never have guessed attachment points on an Apache. Where are they located? Do you need a special harness? Is that normally carried by the Apache or special gear?
"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if
they made a difference in the world. But, the [U.S.]
Marines don't have that problem."
-- Ronald Reagan
I dont know if they are carried by the crew or not. I never actually got carried, as I had Staff Duty that day, but my unit and friends did it. I will have to ask them to get more info for you on the subject.
They had a demo of a marine strapping onto a Apache on the news.
I am no expert when it comes to helicopters, but he crouched on the ledge by the canopy looped his arm round a handrail and clipped a strap to the handrail (Looked very primitive but effective). Apart from the harness I couldn't see any modifications to the Apache.
Appreciate if some one would tell me the overall situation in Afghanistan? As the news here is crap. From my ill informed point of view it would appear we are over commited and ill supplied with are polticians cocking it up.
Anyone heard of Blairs failed incentive of promising cash if the Afghans destroyed their poppy fields?
I am no expert when it comes to helicopters, but he crouched on the ledge by the canopy looped his arm round a handrail and clipped a strap to the handrail (Looked very primitive but effective). Apart from the harness I couldn't see any modifications to the Apache.
There are no modifactions to it. It is just a matter of being clipped of strapped in. I used to be a Blackhawk crewmember and the other BN in our unit was an Apache Unit. We would train with them quite often and had the oppurtunity to go out and get strapped in. My Flight Company went but I had staff duty that day so I did not get to go and fly on the outside of an Apache.
I will call my friend tomorrow though who did go and see what he has to say about how it actually went down.
Originally Posted by bigZ
Appreciate if some one would tell me the overall situation in Afghanistan? As the news here is crap. From my ill informed point of view it would appear we are over commited and ill supplied with are polticians cocking it up.
I could help you out with Iraq only because I spent over a year there but Afghanistan I only know what comes on the news.
"Success is not Final, Failure is not Fatal, it is the Courage to Continue that Counts"
Sir Winston Churchill
"To him the People of the World Largely owe the Freedom and Liberties they Enjoy Today"
Enscription on Hugh Dowding's (AOC Fighter Command 1936-40) statue in London
"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if
they made a difference in the world. But, the [U.S.]
Marines don't have that problem."
-- Ronald Reagan
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Originally Posted by DerAdlerIstGelandet 
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