Posted on 07/29/2007 2:25:43 PM PDT by SandRat
BAGHDAD, July 29, 2007 – The top U.S. general in Iraq presented awards to four Apache pilots for their part in the July 2 rescue of two other pilots downed by enemy fire during a July 27 ceremony in the Victory Base Complex here. Gen. David Petraeus, commander of Multi-National Forces Iraq, honored the four pilots of the 1st Cavalry Division’s 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, and eight others who helped rescue the pilots.
Chief Warrant Officer Allan Davison and Chief Warrant Officer Micah Johnson, both AH-64D Apache attack helicopter pilots for Company A, 1st Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, received Distinguished Flying Crosses.
Davison and Johnson landed their attack helicopter in a hostile area and evacuated the two downed OH-58 Kiowa helicopter pilots of the 3rd Infantry Division’s 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade.
Apaches only have two seats, so Johnson, the front seat pilot, let one of the Kiowa pilots take his seat in the Apache while he and the other Kiowa pilot strapped themselves to the outside of the aircraft and sat on the wings, said Johnson.
"It looked like they were both in pretty good shape, but one of them kind of looked like he had been through enough, like he was a little shocked, as I would be, too. I told him to get in front," he said.
Once the pilots were strapped in, Davison, the pilot in command, took off and headed to Baghdad International Airport where the pilots were dropped off.
While this was taking place, their Apache wingmen were circling above providing security.
Those two pilots, Chief Warrant Officer Seung Choi and Chief Warrant Officer Troy Moseley, received Air Medals for their efforts.
Although happy at being awarded medals and recognized by the top commander in Iraq, the pilots said their greatest reward was finding the downed pilots alive.
"We've seen a lot of aircraft shoot-downs," Johnson said in an interview after the rescue. "Every one that we've all probably seen, it's resulted in burning aircraft and black smoke and usually catastrophic loss of life. If not loss of life, then there have been serious injuries. Just to see those two alive, it was amazing. It was great."
(Army Spc. Nathan Hoskins is a journalist assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division’s 1st Air Cavalry Brigade.)
Glad we have an all volunteer now as it alleviates those who would rather be anywhere else and don’t care.
“You had none, except perhaps some doctors.”
True but incomplete. We had a lot of folks who joined the Air Force to avoid being drafted into the Army. Officer and enlisted, and not just doctors in the officers.
I thought so. I was one of the Master Sergeants. ;)
Working together, we could have him almost literally chasing his tail.
The Fighter Pilot’s Prayer: “O Lord, when I go into the fray, grant that I may have the eyes of an eagle, the heart of a lion, the swiftness of a falcon and the balls of an Army helicopter pilot.”
What always amazed me was how Master Sargents could lie like crazy and keep a dead pan straight face.
Yep that dog did eat that cow type of b.s. and have green Louies believeing them.
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