Apache and Royal Marines
 

BBC News

The BBC News has an intersting story about Royal Marines being "strapped to the wings of 2 Apache Helicopters" in an attempt to rescue L/Cpl Ford RM who was killed at the weekend.

And the commanders in Afghanistan are saying they do not need any more helicopters......

RIP L/Cpl Ford

Certainly one way of doing CSAR!
However, my thoughts go to the L/Cpl Ford's familiy and friends.
:uhoh:

Sympathy for yet another brave soul who has been lost and ABSOLUTE respect for the RM guys and Apache drivers who affected the recovery of a fallen comrade.

I wish I had nads that big:)

Balls of steel and BZs all round, RIP Royal.

Ultimate respect booknecks. RIP hero.

An uplifting and very moving story. Greatest respect to all involved.

Absolutely immense, takes a lot of b*lls to pull off that manoeuvere.:D Good to see that they got the chap back.

Kahoonas of the first order - nice one booties and hairy arms!:ok: :ok:

Is this a practised procedure or the product of some fast thinking and industrial strength gonads? Either way one hell of a ride!

RIP L/Cpl Ford - sounds like you have some diamond mates.

RIP L/Cpl Ford. BZ to all involved in this rescue mission, I'm sure the family will be eternally gratefull. My utmost respect to the AAC for this amazing flying and the Marines for having the guts to do it.

I hope the powers that be recognise the Apache crews and the Marines for the incredible courage shown here.

RIP L/Cpl Ford...

As an aside, wasn't a personnel pod developed for this purpose a while back - for the Harrier perhaps?

N

This is the sort of thing that puts the Great in Great Britain.
This is what sets the British Military apart from every other Government department (and the rest of the world). This is what makes the men and women special. This is exactly why the Armed Forces should be treated as special. This why the Armed Forces should be properly cherished as the jewel in an otherwise tarnished crown.
I hope these brave individuals get the recognition they deserve and my heartfelt sympathy to the family of the fallen Marine. I salute you all.

Nige, the system you mention was devised by a company called Avpro. They got as far as doing fit checks/photo shoots with an Apache and a GR7, but as far as I know it didn't get any further.

On the subject of the great work done here by the AAC and the Marines, I think I overheard someone mention the possibility of using the AH like this in an emergency when I was at Middle Wallop just before Christmas. They also briefed us on how they've been using the Apache to put down fire just 10m in front of friendlies out there (story at: http://www.flightglobal.com/articles...l-by-fire.html)

Much praise and respect, and RIP.

RIP L/Cpl Ford...

As an aside, wasn't a personnel pod developed for this purpose a while back - for the Harrier perhaps?

N[/quote]
:confused: There was a pod that was made for the ah to carry sf into areas of uncertainty. however this was poo pooed a while back as a poor idea i believe. maybe they should rethink.

love to L/CPL Fords family and friends and this hard time.

I've noticed that over the last few years that most light infantry have a Karabeiner clipped to their webbing. Is there anything on the stub wings, tie down points etc to which they could attach this?

RIP L/Cpl Ford and condolences to his family and friends.:(

Possibly some of the largest gonads seen within the British Military for quite a while.:ooh: Top job all involved and those who authorised it!!:cool:

Well done, it makes us all proud.:D :D :D

Ivor

During the Vietnam War, many instances of Huey Cobra gunships landing in hostile areas, often under fire, and retrieving aircrew or infantry by use of the fold down doors to the ammunition storage compartment.

Those experiences lead to the inclusion of such devices as are fitted to the Apache.


Every loss is tragic....condolences to the family and fellow Marines. It is moving to see Courage and Dedication exemplified by the actions of many during such actions as are happening in Iraq and Afghanistan.

I'm not sure if it is still standard procedure still but most Bootnecks used to have a harness made up from Black Marlow rope, hot cut and finished off with Harry Black.

Perhaps some black marlow tied around the wing and attachment point, couple of crabs and this harness did the job.

'Good effort' to those involved, very sorry read that it didnt end as it should have done.


SASLESS, I think that the book Snake Pilot has an account of a cobra or loach crew being picked up under fire by a Cobra, they clung to the skids as it extracted them.....Or was it in Low Level Hell?
Excellent books.

Where's the storage areas on Apache, then? Can you get inside the airframe or are they used as means for hanging on? Exhaust, downwash, CofG issues??? Still bl**dy impressive.

Apparently, the Taliban fled when confronted with two bearded banshees, weilding waepons and wearing women's clothing!

When done Royal and the AAC. Condolences to the family of L/Cpl Ford.

I cannot detract from a single thing that the team did. I also cannot argue that the resultant morale lift will be other than a real force multiplier. I offer a word of caution, though, before people get too carried away. They got away with it and have earned an unreserved BZ but what if it had gone to rats**t? Losing 3 valuable flesh and blood assets and an operationally scarce machine to recover a dead comrade is one hell of a risk. Isn't that how the US got their arrses handed back to them in a sling in Somalia?

That said, RIP L/Cpl Ford and condolences to nearest and dearest.