Fortune by name, fortunate by nature.

[pohm1]

Link (http://www.news.com.au/world/british-helicopter-pilot-shot-between-the-eyes-but-keeps-flying-to-save-20-soldiers/story-e6frfkyr-1225837442852)

If half true, it's amazing. Hats off....

P1

[airborne_artist]

battled with the controls to stop the chopper from spiraling out of control

I think that phrase is compulsory in all news reports of this type.

BZ to all, though there was another pilot next to the brave Flt Lt who may have done a bit?

[fallmonk]

Lucky man !
Think he should put a lotto ticket on ;-)

[Ken Scott]

It says something when the Sun (aka 'Aircrew Times') is more accurate than the Telegraph in reporting the Chinook as an RAF helicopter rather than as army. In the bunfight about defence spending it doesn't help that the RAF's invisible, just flying its Typhoons about while the real work is done by the 'army' (ie: everyone dressed in brown in Afghanistan).

Still, 'hats off' indeed to Flt Lt Fortune RAF for a job well done, with or without his co-pilot's help - surely a gong would be appropriate, a VC perhaps?

[Two-Tone-Blue]

I wondered how long before someone said "VC" ...

The Victoria Cross is awarded for ... most conspicuous bravery, or some daring or pre-eminent act of valour or self-sacrifice, or extreme devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy
The Distinguished Flying Cross is awarded for ... an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against the enemy".

My money is firmly on the DFC.

Well done Flt Lt Fortune ... and all your crew.

[Agaricus bisporus]

I wonder how many (dozens of) squaddies have driven their vehicle miles from the scene with severe bullet or shrapnel wounds (and without the benefit of a co-pilot to do it for them) - no one offers them VCs.

Where's the difference?

A medal, sure, but VC???

[airborne_artist]

I wonder how many (dozens of) squaddies have driven their vehicle miles from the scene with severe bullet or shrapnel wounds (and without the benefit of a co-pilot to do it for them) - no one offers them VCs.

From Private Beharry's VC citation (http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2005/mar/18/iraq.military1):

"While his head remained out of the hatch, to enable him to see the route ahead, he was directly exposed to much of this fire, and was himself hit by a 7.62mm bullet, which penetrated his helmet and remained lodged on its inner surface. Despite this harrowing weight of incoming fire Beharry continued to push through the extended ambush, still leading his platoon until he broke clean."

[NutLoose]

Not wanting to degrade anything and those that think he should get a VC, but, Self preservation also had to have something to do with "battling the controls"
In the case of the Soldier, he didn't have to, but did. The part of Private Beharrys action you didn't quote which was beyond what would be expected probably was

Once he had brought his vehicle to a halt outside, without thought for his own personal safety, he climbed onto the turret of the still-burning vehicle and, seemingly oblivious to the incoming enemy small arms fire, manhandled his wounded platoon commander out of the turret, off the vehicle and to the safety of a nearby warrior.

He then returned once again to his vehicle and again mounted the exposed turret to lift out the vehicle's gunner and move him to a position of safety. Exposing himself yet again to enemy fire he returned to the rear of the burning vehicle to lead the disorientated and shocked dismounts and casualties to safety. Remounting his burning vehicle for the third time, he drove it through a complex chicane and into the security of the defended perimeter of the outpost, thus denying it to the enemy.


But either way, bloody good on him, he deserves what ever they bestow on him. :D

[Dogwatch]

Well done that man.

[vecvechookattack]

This has got VC written all over it.

Is it.....

A) devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against the enemy

or is it.....

B) extreme devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy


B gets my vote....... It may have been A if he had handed control to the other pilot but seeing as though he

More bullets followed, hitting the Chinook's controls and shutting down the stabilisation system.

But with blood pouring into his eyes, Flt-Lt Fortune battled with the controls to stop the chopper from spiraling out of control

Then with the aircraft lurching from side to side he continued flying for eight minutes before landing at Camp Bastion......

Stab out IMC..!!!!! Give him a VC

[Bob Viking]

Either way, nicely done Behemoth!!
BV:ok:

[SCAFITE]

According to some of the forums the airframe was Bravo November, if it is, one lucky aircraft. Well done to all involved.

(Edited) according to Sky News it is Bravo November

Chinoook Pilot Shot Between The Eyes Manages To Fly Casualties To Safety: Ian Fortune Afghanistan | World News | Sky News (http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Chinoook-Pilot-Shot-Between-The-Eyes-Manages-To-Fly-Casualties-To-Safety-Ian-Fortune-Afghanistan/Article/201003115567655?lid=ARTICLE_15567655_ChinoookPilotShotBetwee nTheEyesManagesToFlyCasualtiesToSafety:IanFortuneAfghanistan &lpos=searchresults)

[Ken Scott]

There is precedent - a WW2 bomber pilot was hit in the face (by fire from the rear gunner of another bomber so not strictly the enemy), remained at the controls (with the Flt Eng's help as he was lapsing in & out of conciousness) & got the ac home - he got a posthumous VC.

Besides, a Merlin pilot got the DFC for something similar without being hit, so I believe he deserves something more.

[soprano54]

Well to my knowledge that's two of his nine lives he's used up! The first one was trashed involving the harness and ejector seat handle on a pax trip in the back of a Jag ISTR!!!:E

[Bob Viking]

He probably lost another one just trying to squeeze into the back seat in the first place!
How's things Soprano? Life treating you kindly?
BV

[Two-Tone-Blue]

Hi, Soprano54 - your Air Wing speaking ;)

Back to the Topic ...

VC or DFC, isn't it? Or is it a CGC?

Conspicuous Gallantry Cross ... Awarded in recognition of acts of conspicuous gallantry during active operations against the enemy

whichever, the mate did a fantastic job. Massive respect.

Warned off for ground fire, but went in to get the cas anyway. Superb commitment to the task. DFC, no question, just like Flt Lt "OMG you're cute".

However ... as has been noted earlier, flying the beast home with the cas [despite being severely wounded and with 'BN' being somewhat perforated] isn't quite the same as ... what Nutloose said.

I don't like the self-preservation aspect, because he was preserving others as well. But it's not charging a pill-box single-handed. Sorry.


All that said, it was ... [a] forking courageous to go in [b] forking brave to stay there with incoming, and [c] a fine feat of airmanship to get out at the end of it.

[wokkawarrior]

Gold DFC? think one of these would fit the bill
Conspicuous Gallantry Cross (http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conspicuous_Gallantry_Cross)

[soprano54]

@ BV, yes mate are you still at that windy place in Wales?:eek: @ TTB of course and see you over in the 'Hide' on ARRSE for a beer!:ok:

[mr fish]

on a related note, check out SABURO SAKI's ww2 history.

attacking what he thought was a wildcat, turned out to be a avenger and was subsequently hit in the head by the grumman's rear gunner.

a round hit him in the head and lodged in his brain.
after a 4+ hour agonising return flight back to base and what was no doubt a perilous landing, said round was removed WITHOUT pain relief!!!


AVIATORS.....a breed apart:D

[Thud_and_Blunder]

Been away from RAF Chinooks for a while - do you still have WSOs/Navigators in the LHS sometimes? If so it might answer the questions some of the above have had about the presence/utility of a copilot.

Having said that, more than half the navs I flew with were perfectly capable of flying the aircraft (ISTR some could do a better job than some of the pilots).

[TurbineTooHot]

Bloody good job Bison.:D

It must be cos he's just so massive that he attracts incoming.:E

Hope you get a attractive scar that chicks dig, and suitably gonged up for this kind of awesomeness.

TTH!

[Hot Charlie]

There is precedent - a WW2 bomber pilot was hit in the face (by fire from the rear gunner of another bomber so not strictly the enemy), remained at the controls (with the Flt Eng's help as he was lapsing in & out of conciousness) & got the ac home - he got a posthumous VC.


It wasn't posthumous - Bill Reid was with us until he passed away in 2001, having recovered and continued his distinguished service with Bomber Command.

[Fortissimo]

The posthumous VC was not Bill Reid but Arthur Aaron. Info is here:
Aaron VC (http://www.bomber-command.info/vcaaron.htm)

[Dan Gerous]

Who needs body armour when you can head butt bullets. :ok:

[Gas_Monkey]

I was on my MERT standby day when this happened, so dispensed sweet tea and biccies to the crew and two very shaken Discovery Channel reporters whilst Chomper was having his head stitched up in the emergency department. "Severely wounded" - not exactly. However, it was still an awesome bit of flying and my money's on a DFC.

Regardless of what gong he gets, Ian "Chomper" Fortune won the far more life-enhancing "luckiest man in Helmand" prize for the week.

[wokkamate]

Most importantly, will he have a nice scar to impress the ladies with, or are the Docs at Bastion so good at stitching now, they can put a plastic surgeon to shame?

Well done mate - would have scared the **** out of me and I can only assume he had a Nav in the LHS!

"I knew there was a reason to fly with 2 pilots in combat......." :ouch:

[Seldomfitforpurpose]

Most importantly, will he have a nice scar to impress the ladies with, or are the Docs at Bastion so good at stitching now, they can put a plastic surgeon to shame?

Well done mate - would have scared the **** out of me and I can only assume he had a Nav in the LHS!

"I knew there was a reason to fly with 2 pilots in combat......." :ouch:

Please tell me you guys are not still flying with Navs in the LHS :eek:

[TheWizard]

Well it wouldn't be legal to have them in the right hand seat now would it?:hmm:

[Seldomfitforpurpose]

Not sure it's that clever to have them in either seat :(

[occhips]

The said man was a legend on IOT ( that course at Cranwell) he had a pizza delivered to his table at the Grad Dinner - top draw. Also failed his fitness test at the end of IOT after 24 weeks of being abused by men in white vests ..

Glad he's safe anyway, stay safe all of you who are outside the wire risking it..

Not missing the incoming in any shape or form!

[vecvechookattack]

Well it wouldn't be legal to have them in the right hand seat now would it

Providing you have a QHI in the LHS then it may be legal

[ProfessionalStudent]

DFC? He'd settle for a KFC...

Nice one Chomper! There's a chilli waiting whenever you want it mate!

[Trojan1981]

I wonder how many (dozens of) squaddies have driven their vehicle miles from the scene with severe bullet or shrapnel wounds (and without the benefit of a co-pilot to do it for them) - no one offers them VCs.

I can name a few from various campaigns who have done this and much more but have not been awarded anything.

That is not to detract from this act however. Similar occurances were commonplace in Vietnam and many pilots died in their cockpits. It takes a special kind of bravery to go out again after that, flying a helo, unable to shoot back. My money is on a DFC.

[West Coast]

Sierra Hotel.

[Bob the Doc]

many pilots died in their cockpits. It takes a special kind of bravery to go out again after that, flying a helo

I would say that was a medical impossibility

Full marks to Flt Lt Fortune, whomever was in the LHS. Look forward to the documentary coming out.

Would have thought DFC was a shoe-in. VC might be harder to justify but not out of the question

[MPN11]

Amidst all the jolly banter, how is The Fortunate One?

I thought it polite to ask :cool:

[Gas_Monkey]

He was flying again two days later.

[Cmn2644]

"England expects every man to do his duty" and chomper did his extremely well that day - bloody well done mate. Not forgetting offcourse his LHS Pilot and the 2 crewman. WWII standard of DFC in my book !

[Trojan1981]

I would say that was a medical impossibility

Errr, right. They flew with two pilots in Vietnam, most forces still do for this reason. Obviously I am talking about the surviving pilot. It would take a special kind of bravery to get back in the cockpit after coming so close to sudden death.

[Flying Lawyer]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/Rotorheads/Album/Crest.jpg



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/Rotorheads/Aviation/GAPANbanner_600.jpg


The Grand Master’s Commendation

Awarded at the discretion of the Grand Master for an act of valour or outstanding services in the air.


FLIGHT LIEUTENANT IAN FORTUNE DFC

Citation: On 29 January 2010 Flight Lieutenant Fortune, a Chinook pilot, was in charge of the Immediate Response Team, part of the Joint Helicopter Force in Afghanistan. He was on his second tour but his first as an aircraft captain. Scrambled to an incident to conduct an emergency medical evacuation of six casualties with gunshot wounds, the crew were informed that two of the casualties were critical and their condition was worsening. On arrival at the scene it was discovered that the ground controller who would normally coordinate the extraction was one of the casualties. Flt Lt Fortune manoeuvred his aircraft into an emergency landing site, as close to the casualties as possible, while an Apache helicopter suppressed the insurgent firing points. Before the casualties could be loaded, the insurgents engaged with accurate fire; Flt Lt Fortune held position until all casualties were safely on board.

As the aircraft departed it was engaged again. A round came through the windscreen, hit the front of Flt Lt Fortune's helmet and shattered his visor, causing deep lacerations to his face. Although the pilot's windscreen was shattered and partly opaque, Flt Lt Fortune elected to retain control and he continued to take evasive action. The aircraft was hit a total of 8 times resulting in a series of system failures including damage to the flight stabilisation system and forward transmission. Flt Lt Fortune with confidence and inspirational composure calmly diagnosed the faults, took appropriate corrective action, briefed his intentions to his team, and kept the aircraft as stable as possible to enable the medical team to work on the casualties.

Flt Lt Fortune flew at maximum speed to the medical facility at Camp Bastion and had the presence of mind to land his heavily damaged aircraft on the side of the landing site so as not to block it. Only once the casualties were then offloaded and, the aircraft shut down, did he accept medical attention. All of the casualties survived and the assessment of the doctors was that one of them would have died had he not been evacuated in such a timely fashion.

During this incident, Flt Lt Fortune displayed extreme professionalism and airmanship. His actions saved the life of at least one of the casualties and probably prevented the loss of his aircraft, with all on board. His remarkable courage, composure and selflessness are wholly deserving of appropriate recognition and Flt Lt Fortune is accordingly awarded the Grand Master’s Commendation.

The Commendation was formally presented at the Guild's annual 'Trophies and Awards Banquet' at the London Guildhall at the end of last month.


GAPAN - The Guild of Air Pilots & Air Navigators (http://www.gapan.org)

Patron: HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
Grand Master: HRH The Prince Andrew, Duke of York


.

[heights good]

"I wonder how many (dozens of) squaddies have driven their vehicle miles from the scene with severe bullet or shrapnel wounds (and without the benefit of a co-pilot to do it for them) - no one offers them VCs."

I suggest you read the citation for Johnston Beharry VC ;)

[DC10RealMan]

Bill Reid VC was such a modest man that his wife did not find out about his VC until they had been married for a number of years. They were called "The Greatest Generation" and with good reason, the world will never see their like again.