Downed pilots rescued by AH-64r
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Downed pilots rescued by AH-64
BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- A two-person Apache helicopter crew staged a dramatic rescue Monday, ferrying two of their comrades out of a combat zone south of Baghdad, military officials said Tuesday. The four of them flew away in a two-person Apache, with two in the cockpit and two others clinging to the outside of the chopper.
Here is the account from the military, which provided some video of the rescue:
"Enemy machine-gun fire brought down a OH-58D Kiowa attack helicopter piloted by two Task Force Marne soldiers in a location full of insurgents. The two downed pilots, both of whom received minor injuries, jumped out of the shot-down craft and threw themselves in a ditch of water to hide.
Two Army pilots in a AH-64 Apache helicopter -- braving insurgent fire -- came to assist them. Watch downed pilots scramble onto rescue chopper »
Because the rescue helicopter only had room for two, one of the Apache pilots gave up his seat in the chopper to one of the Kiowa pilots, and that Apache pilot and the other Kiowa pilot situated themselves outside the craft.
An Air Force Thunderbolt II destroyed the downed helicopter with two 500-pound laser-guided bombs after the pilots were evacuated from the area," the military said.
Marne troops have been taking on militants south of Baghdad and in one of the areas termed "Baghdad belts" southeast of the capital.
The military did not specify exactly where the rescue took place or how far the crew had to fly to reach safety
Here is the account from the military, which provided some video of the rescue:
"Enemy machine-gun fire brought down a OH-58D Kiowa attack helicopter piloted by two Task Force Marne soldiers in a location full of insurgents. The two downed pilots, both of whom received minor injuries, jumped out of the shot-down craft and threw themselves in a ditch of water to hide.
Two Army pilots in a AH-64 Apache helicopter -- braving insurgent fire -- came to assist them. Watch downed pilots scramble onto rescue chopper »
Because the rescue helicopter only had room for two, one of the Apache pilots gave up his seat in the chopper to one of the Kiowa pilots, and that Apache pilot and the other Kiowa pilot situated themselves outside the craft.
An Air Force Thunderbolt II destroyed the downed helicopter with two 500-pound laser-guided bombs after the pilots were evacuated from the area," the military said.
Marne troops have been taking on militants south of Baghdad and in one of the areas termed "Baghdad belts" southeast of the capital.
The military did not specify exactly where the rescue took place or how far the crew had to fly to reach safety
Last edited by ORAC; 3rd Jul 2007 at 23:34.
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Well done!
Great job - happy July 4th to all concerned!
(And yes, Brits / Canuks / Aussies / Kiwis etc are allowed to celebrate "Commonwealth Thanksgiving" tonight....!)
Stay safe out there!
S41
(And yes, Brits / Canuks / Aussies / Kiwis etc are allowed to celebrate "Commonwealth Thanksgiving" tonight....!)
Stay safe out there!
S41
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EDIT: Just watched the vid -that's precisely why they did it.
Last edited by moggiee; 4th Jul 2007 at 12:19.
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............. I can't see the point as it would have degraded the effectiveness of the Apache crew - unless the Kiowa driver was too badly injured to hang onto the outside.
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Well done to all involved.
Last edited by moggiee; 4th Jul 2007 at 12:18.
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One of the KW crew was put into the front seat because of suspected injuries and the fact that there is a different level of attachment security between the left and right side of the aircraft. Obviously at this point the AH-64D became a utility helicopter but that did not matter as there were a lot of assests available on scene.
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"An Air Force Thunderbolt II destroyed the downed helicopter with two 500-pound laser-guided bombs"
Why two?
Staff College teacheth "One of the principles of war":
economy of effort
Why two?
Staff College teacheth "One of the principles of war":
economy of effort
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The Apache was not designed to carry pax on the FABs/EFABs, that capability has come about because of tactical need. If you ride on the left side there are step/handles that are used to climb up on top to inspect the rotorhead to which you attach yourself. They are very strong and can carry a load if needed. If you sit on the right side the only place to latch on to is a handle used to climb up on the FAB/EFAB and is of much lighter construction. I have seen one break when a maintainer climbed up to work in the cockpit(he was quite large though).
The proper technique is to sit with your back against the fuselage, sort of tucked behind the nose gearbox on the engine and to brace your feet against the Hellfire racks. It is easier on a Longbow because of the wider EFABs.
FAB- Forward Avionics Bay
EFAB- Extended " " "
The proper technique is to sit with your back against the fuselage, sort of tucked behind the nose gearbox on the engine and to brace your feet against the Hellfire racks. It is easier on a Longbow because of the wider EFABs.
FAB- Forward Avionics Bay
EFAB- Extended " " "
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USMC. Dec 1969. Vietnam.
http://www.popasmoke.com/story14.html
Dave Cummings was a mate that got it done. BZ
http://www.popasmoke.com/story14.html
Dave Cummings was a mate that got it done. BZ
Staff College teacheth "One of the principles of war":
Jag Plt,
The fact that you actually retained information from staff college then qouted it in this thread...that makes you a chisler (see other threads)!
Tex
The fact that you actually retained information from staff college then qouted it in this thread...that makes you a chisler (see other threads)!
Tex
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Well done all!
I suppose the main difference between the two Apache event is that the pilots were being lifted out of the sh1t but the Brits were being lifted into it!
I suppose the main difference between the two Apache event is that the pilots were being lifted out of the sh1t but the Brits were being lifted into it!