Posted on 01/12/2014 3:05:59 AM PST by huldah1776
BRITISH troops have been put at risk in Afghanistan after the withdrawal of vital American helicopter rescue teams.
US Pave Hawk choppers have been an important element of the air medical response in Helmand due to their winch capabilities.
In the past six years the aircraft, which operate out of Camp Bastion, Britain’s main military base in the country, have saved more than 2,400 lives.
But they have been pulled out of the war zone a year earlier than expected and a senior military source says they have not been adequately replaced.
The insider said loss of the Pave Hawks could cost lives as UK commanders do not have a helicopter that can safely winch Our Boys to safety from minefields.
The mole said: “In the past, if soldiers have been stranded in a minefield we have relied on the Pave Hawk to get them out.
“We have Chinooks with winch capabilities now but the downdraft of a Chinook is immense and could set off mines, putting lives at risk.
“The Pave Hawks have not been replaced so we cannot winch soldiers out of dangerous situations.”
“In the past, if soldiers have been stranded in a minefield we have relied on the Pave Hawk to get them out” Mole
The importance of the Pave Hawks was highlighted when they were called in to save British paratroopers from a minefield in Kajaki Dam, Helmand, in 2006. The men were trapped and an attempt to rescue them with an RAF Chinook backfired when it set off a blast as it tried to land.
Corporal Mark Wright, 27, was seriously injured when he was hit by mine fragments yet still directed his men.
US Pave Hawks managed to winch him and the others out of danger but Cpl Wright later died. He was posthumously awarded the George Cross.
After the incident a report called for a smaller battlefield helicopter to be deployed with a winch on all future operations.
Lynx helicopters flown by the Brits were fitted with winches but could not operate in hot conditions – so the US stepped in to provide cover.
A senior British officer said the loss of the Pave Hawks from Bastion was significant.
He said: “We have used Lynx to airlift people in the past but only very early in the morning when the air temperature is still low.
“The departure of the Pave Hawks put us back to where we were in 2006 with no capability to winch.”
The Ministry of Defence said despite the withdrawal of Pave Hawks, the safety of British troops had not been compromised.
Four American airmen were killed last Tuesday when a Pave Hawk based at RAF Lakenheath crashed near Salthouse, Norfolk.
To those who served on these birds, thank you. I'm glad you are home, but wish others were taking your place to continue the fight.
No doubt, Bamster decided that JUST our troops deaths were not enough for muzzie bloodlust so he’d throw in a few of our allies too.
Incredible incompetence or reckless disregard of allied lives.
Either way, it’s criminal.
Maybe we need a RADIO FREE AMERICA.
It is clear the state owned and ran media will only cover what the government wants them to cover, and will be critical of only those that loses favor with those in power.
We are becoming a shadow of our former self.
Good idea. Will send a message to Rush. :)
We should expect nothing less. Zero and 0bamunists are not content to needless escalate the threat against our own troops with ROE that make it all but impossible for them to defend themselves, but now they also turn their backs on our allies in the fight.
Regardless of your position on these military excursions, the fact that this administration would further endanger our troops and our allies is unconscionable.
But I expect nothing less from a communist of this ilk.
(Rhetorical Question---I already know the answer.)
....it’s all about the juvenile Odungo, the lying Marxist scumbag
“Incredible incompetence or reckless disregard of allied lives. Either way, it’s criminal.”
Ditto.
We have it infowar.com
Zer0 abandons an ally. Despicable.
Wait until Obama starts selling these to the Afghan Military.
My nephew is a PJ gets deployed to Afghanistan every year or so; they use Pavehawks which are updated Blackhawks. PJs get tasked to all kinds of missions beyond rescuing downed pilots and wounded soldiers; they are highly trained, very professional, and put their life on the line for their Country more than anybody can imagine. The nephew got two bronze stars and a silver star over the last few deployments; but I’d much rather be moose hunting with him than reading award citations. They use those Pavehawks here in Alaska for all kinds of rescue situations, keep them busy too. I’d rather see them stateside too.
Our guys aren’t dying fast enough to suit the president.
The screwing over of allies by Obama is intentional.
Almost the entire article above is devoted to details on how the safety of British trooops has been compromised by the Pave Hawk helicopters being withdrawn by the U.S.
Then....the article closes with a quote from the British Ministry of Defence which states that despite the withdrawal of the Hawks "the safety of British troops has not been compromised".
So, which is it...the troops are compromised or not?
Sounds like Obama-speak from the Ministry of Defence, doesn't it!
Leni
Then there's this story from the past. Have they learned nothing?!
9/8/2009
‘We're pinned down:’ 4 U.S. Marines die in Afghan ambush
“We are pinned down. We are running low on ammo. We have no air. We've lost today,” Marine Maj. Kevin Williams, 37, said through his translator to his Afghan counterpart, responding to the latter’s repeated demands for helicopters...”
The ROE also include rescue helos. They had the same problem in Nam.
I can watch Black Hawk Down only about once a year now that I am a Blue Star Mom. To see this one I have to prepare myself, take a box of tissues and go alone. I just read that lavender really does help so maybe i’ll pack a bunch and sniff it during the movie. I’ll probably get arrested.
Prayers for the people who will be triggered.
Read the thread at link. 2009. It hasn’t changed except now there are fewer helos to call in. I can’t imagine being a veteran and reading this stuff knowing that there is little we can do now. They get getting together about their benefits and going to DC, I wish they would add the ROE to their agenda.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.