RAF Odiham's Flt Lt Ian Fortune on the Beeb
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Ian Fortune
Well said WM and MGD ...
To clarify ...
Being hit was just a very small part of an outstanding piece of bravery and flying from Ian and his crew that day. Too hot to go in initially, men literally dying from their wounds on the ground, taking MG fire on the way in, taking MG and SA fire whilst on the ground loading casualties, taking MG fire on the way out resulting in aircraft issues shall we say. Dealing with all that, then getting hit in the head, bloody streaming down his face, having the composure to keep control and make sure his crew were ok whilst demanding from BN everything she had left to get the casualties who were still dying in the back to Bastion. Then after literally a day or too to recover, back flying Ops and IRT into similar situations.
It was not simply a stray round hitting him as he went about his business !
I hope he gets an award - he bloody deserves it, and knowing Ian, he will accept in on behalf of us all. No one flies to be recognised out there. We do it to help the blokes on the ground who are literally in the fight of their lives. Words can not describe our respect for them and we would fly into hell if it meant getting them out alive.
Finally, special mention to MERT - you know who you are. Thousands of families owe you a debt for keeping their loved one alive in what must be by a mile the most challenging medical environment anywhere in the world.
To clarify ...
Being hit was just a very small part of an outstanding piece of bravery and flying from Ian and his crew that day. Too hot to go in initially, men literally dying from their wounds on the ground, taking MG fire on the way in, taking MG and SA fire whilst on the ground loading casualties, taking MG fire on the way out resulting in aircraft issues shall we say. Dealing with all that, then getting hit in the head, bloody streaming down his face, having the composure to keep control and make sure his crew were ok whilst demanding from BN everything she had left to get the casualties who were still dying in the back to Bastion. Then after literally a day or too to recover, back flying Ops and IRT into similar situations.
It was not simply a stray round hitting him as he went about his business !
I hope he gets an award - he bloody deserves it, and knowing Ian, he will accept in on behalf of us all. No one flies to be recognised out there. We do it to help the blokes on the ground who are literally in the fight of their lives. Words can not describe our respect for them and we would fly into hell if it meant getting them out alive.
Finally, special mention to MERT - you know who you are. Thousands of families owe you a debt for keeping their loved one alive in what must be by a mile the most challenging medical environment anywhere in the world.
I have a son who is currently in one of the tastier PBs. It gives me a great measure of reassurance that the SH force is full of aircrew with the fortitude of Ian. I for one would not begrudge him an AFC or whatever. Keep up the good work.
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Wokkamate,
Different issue - do you know if Keith R got to the top of Everest (with Josh Lewsey) in the end? A lot of coverage when it was announced, but gone quiet since......
BS
Different issue - do you know if Keith R got to the top of Everest (with Josh Lewsey) in the end? A lot of coverage when it was announced, but gone quiet since......
BS
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Helidriver
I find your reply somewhat amusing, so you have been recognised, well, well done you.
So now you think that other military people on here without having been in a 'FOB in Helmand on the ground' are unable to determine if they believe an act constitutes being brave, gallant or not! You are getting a little carried away with yourself aren't you?
No it is not if aircrew are shot, it is how they conduct themselves when they have been shot. I don't think you find many VC winners who were awarded the medal for doing a good job throughout their tour (as seems to be your requirements above), they were awarded for instances of exceptional bravery above and beyond the call of duty, similar with many other awards. There are many many squaddies who would not be in possession of such bravery awards if your criteria were applied, including Beharry. There are specific awards available and appropriate if you do a good job during your tour, the bravery awards are for just that, bravery in the face of battle.
I didn't see anybody label it as sour grapes but you are certainly ungracious . In your first sentence above you say, 'If Ian performed continiously throughout his tour tour before and after this incident then fair play', well to be honest how do you know he didn't? You leap in straight at a conclusion that you cannot possibly arrive at without having accompanied him throughout his tour. Whats up with you? Do you want less awards given out so that yours looks better at dining in nights
Gentleman Jim
To the Wokka mates.
As a complete aside, what a pedigree BN has. 30 years of service and still does not falter when she is needed. I bet even all the other wokkas whisper of her, bit of a legend in the fleet really.
OK, I'll bite,
If Ian performed continiously throughout his tour tour before and after this incident then fair play! As for sour grapes, I already have the recognition for my my tour thankyou! This is not about sour grapes, and I sincerely offer my wishes to Ian, however, if he is honoured for this incident then then there are many others who should be also. My platoon Sgt in Afghanistan had a round stuck in his helmet after a contact, however his MC was awarded for many other other acts after this incident.
My isssue is not with the SH fleet, it's pilots or groundcrew. It's with with a system that suggests that if aircrew is shot at then they derserve "the highest gallantry award".
Many individuals who comment on here do so without practical experience. If you haven't served there, and I mean in a FOB within Helmand on the ground, then back off!
Ian, well done on your luck, you had a great team behind you.
If Ian performed continiously throughout his tour tour before and after this incident then fair play! As for sour grapes, I already have the recognition for my my tour thankyou! This is not about sour grapes, and I sincerely offer my wishes to Ian, however, if he is honoured for this incident then then there are many others who should be also. My platoon Sgt in Afghanistan had a round stuck in his helmet after a contact, however his MC was awarded for many other other acts after this incident.
My isssue is not with the SH fleet, it's pilots or groundcrew. It's with with a system that suggests that if aircrew is shot at then they derserve "the highest gallantry award".
Many individuals who comment on here do so without practical experience. If you haven't served there, and I mean in a FOB within Helmand on the ground, then back off!
Ian, well done on your luck, you had a great team behind you.
So now you think that other military people on here without having been in a 'FOB in Helmand on the ground' are unable to determine if they believe an act constitutes being brave, gallant or not! You are getting a little carried away with yourself aren't you?
It's with with a system that suggests that if aircrew is shot at then they derserve "the highest gallantry award"
I didn't see anybody label it as sour grapes but you are certainly ungracious . In your first sentence above you say, 'If Ian performed continiously throughout his tour tour before and after this incident then fair play', well to be honest how do you know he didn't? You leap in straight at a conclusion that you cannot possibly arrive at without having accompanied him throughout his tour. Whats up with you? Do you want less awards given out so that yours looks better at dining in nights
Gentleman Jim
To the Wokka mates.
As a complete aside, what a pedigree BN has. 30 years of service and still does not falter when she is needed. I bet even all the other wokkas whisper of her, bit of a legend in the fleet really.
Last edited by Gentleman Jim; 12th Jun 2010 at 05:16.
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Being hit was just a very small part of an outstanding piece of bravery and flying from Ian and his crew that day. Too hot to go in initially, men literally dying from their wounds on the ground, taking MG fire on the way in, taking MG and SA fire whilst on the ground loading casualties, taking MG fire on the way out resulting in aircraft issues shall we say. Dealing with all that, then getting hit in the head, bloody streaming down his face, having the composure to keep control and make sure his crew were ok whilst demanding from BN everything she had left to get the casualties who were still dying in the back to Bastion. Then after literally a day or too to recover, back flying Ops and IRT into similar situations.
Another day, question "how do we recognise the LZ", answer, easy "there's ten aircraft on the ground burning".
What flavour is that other straw Grabbers, strawberry is my favourite.
Does not detract from the fine efforts Ian and chums are making, but a continuation of the exemplary efforts those in uniform have always made when up against it.
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A sober response
BS,
Keith and Josh unfortunately didn't make the summit, however were only about about 100m from doing so, due to oxygen equipment malfunctions. So, very well done to them regardless.
GJ,
I made my point, you made yours! Ungracious? At the last Odiham Christmas Ball I sought out those who came in many times to pick-up my dead, dying and wounded soldiers to offer my personal thanks. Were you there? Feel free to PM me if you wish to make more personal assumptions and I'll reply to you personally.
All,
The heroism of the Chinook fleet and the MERT is without question. I have witnessed some extraordinary acts by some extraordinary people and am proud to say some are even close friends of mine.
I am an Army Pilot and volunteered to do a couple of years with an infantry based unit. I have flown on many ops as well as my recent ground tour, although now back to flying and I appreciate the stresses of both. I can honestly say that the first and last 5 minutes of every Chinook flight in Afghanistan was worrisome to say the least. The same can be said of patrolling on foot around Sangin. There is a mutual respect of those duties which require some to put themselves into harms way for the sake of others. The ground call-signs, without exception, rely very heavily on the Chinook fleet to perform, which they do day-in and day-out. In fact, if the Chinook fleet were not in theatre then the FOBs would not exist. The fleet is more than a force multiplier, it is an essential strategic requirement and it's crews are truly valued by those they serve.
Whilst Ian's Situation was extraordinary I don't think the media has done him many favours. The re-enactment was cheesy and led my earlier stated posts. Since that article, all the pilots I spoke to felt the same way and it appears a couple of brave souls felt the same on this forum.
My comments were NOT to cast negative aspersions on the Chinook fleet but to highlight a poor piece of media which suggested that Ian had a 'very near-miss' and would be decorated for it. I am truly happy that this event has had a happy ending when so many don't and hopefully Ian will be recognised for his Afghanistan tour in it's entirety.
h
Keith and Josh unfortunately didn't make the summit, however were only about about 100m from doing so, due to oxygen equipment malfunctions. So, very well done to them regardless.
GJ,
I made my point, you made yours! Ungracious? At the last Odiham Christmas Ball I sought out those who came in many times to pick-up my dead, dying and wounded soldiers to offer my personal thanks. Were you there? Feel free to PM me if you wish to make more personal assumptions and I'll reply to you personally.
All,
The heroism of the Chinook fleet and the MERT is without question. I have witnessed some extraordinary acts by some extraordinary people and am proud to say some are even close friends of mine.
I am an Army Pilot and volunteered to do a couple of years with an infantry based unit. I have flown on many ops as well as my recent ground tour, although now back to flying and I appreciate the stresses of both. I can honestly say that the first and last 5 minutes of every Chinook flight in Afghanistan was worrisome to say the least. The same can be said of patrolling on foot around Sangin. There is a mutual respect of those duties which require some to put themselves into harms way for the sake of others. The ground call-signs, without exception, rely very heavily on the Chinook fleet to perform, which they do day-in and day-out. In fact, if the Chinook fleet were not in theatre then the FOBs would not exist. The fleet is more than a force multiplier, it is an essential strategic requirement and it's crews are truly valued by those they serve.
Whilst Ian's Situation was extraordinary I don't think the media has done him many favours. The re-enactment was cheesy and led my earlier stated posts. Since that article, all the pilots I spoke to felt the same way and it appears a couple of brave souls felt the same on this forum.
My comments were NOT to cast negative aspersions on the Chinook fleet but to highlight a poor piece of media which suggested that Ian had a 'very near-miss' and would be decorated for it. I am truly happy that this event has had a happy ending when so many don't and hopefully Ian will be recognised for his Afghanistan tour in it's entirety.
h
Last edited by helidriver; 12th Jun 2010 at 10:11. Reason: added an apostrophe!
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Helidriver
I said ungracious, not ungrateful! No need for you to explain the thanks that you gave at the Christmas ball. I said ungracious for the way in which you appeared to dis the incident, and if you read your post to which I refer, at no point do you refer that you are saying the media has done no favours to Ian, as you did in your post above, you imply it is the system,- the military awards system.
As it happens I was not at the Odiham Christmas Ball this year (if that is what you mean), though I have been to many many over the years, perhaps we will meet at the next one. I was not aware that I had made any personal assumptions in my post.
Your 'sober response' is much clearer than those that by logic must not have been sober ones.
With continued thanks to the troops on the ground.
Gentleman Jim
I made my point, you made yours! Ungracious? At the last Odiham Christmas Ball I sought out those who came in many times to pick-up my dead, dying and wounded soldiers to offer my personal thanks. Were you there? Feel free to PM me if you wish to make more personal assumptions and I'll reply to you personally.
As it happens I was not at the Odiham Christmas Ball this year (if that is what you mean), though I have been to many many over the years, perhaps we will meet at the next one. I was not aware that I had made any personal assumptions in my post.
Your 'sober response' is much clearer than those that by logic must not have been sober ones.
With continued thanks to the troops on the ground.
Gentleman Jim
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HH2 - bang on. OK, Chomper got a round bounce off the NVG rail but he got out with his load, got fixed and went back for more the next day, in support of those out in the bondu and with the support of the whole team.
We are all on the same side. No, really, we are.
Pity there could not be some sort of group gong, for those in the sh!t in contact and for those like IF and crew for extracting them from the aforementioned ordure.
We are all on the same side. No, really, we are.
Pity there could not be some sort of group gong, for those in the sh!t in contact and for those like IF and crew for extracting them from the aforementioned ordure.
Sorry to resurrect a dead thread and for not catching it first time round:
Just watched Mike Brewer's docu somewhere on Sky with the BN head shot.
Got to ask: Never mind clunkers-all-round, has Chomper been promoted for his bravery in the face of the press? 10/10 for the coolest intercom call ever.
And..God forgive, me I nearly got wet looking at a Wokka.
Just watched Mike Brewer's docu somewhere on Sky with the BN head shot.
Got to ask: Never mind clunkers-all-round, has Chomper been promoted for his bravery in the face of the press? 10/10 for the coolest intercom call ever.
And..God forgive, me I nearly got wet looking at a Wokka.
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GIJOE -
Scratching his bum while reading a paperback? What do you think he was doing?
HELIDRIVER - I enjoyed the back-pedalling reply!
Every incident is different, and when the "powers that be" read the reports, see the photographs/film, examine the equipment used and interview those who were actually there (as opposed to most of us), they may come to a different conclusion to yours and decide a gallantry award is merited. If we all try hard, we can get over this and just thank & congratulate those who were there and receive the awards rather than sniping from behind a keyboard.
Would somone like to explain this? What was the LHS doing?
HELIDRIVER - I enjoyed the back-pedalling reply!
Every incident is different, and when the "powers that be" read the reports, see the photographs/film, examine the equipment used and interview those who were actually there (as opposed to most of us), they may come to a different conclusion to yours and decide a gallantry award is merited. If we all try hard, we can get over this and just thank & congratulate those who were there and receive the awards rather than sniping from behind a keyboard.
