He flew Chinooks 40 years ago over Nam. He flatly stated that these helicopters were "sitting ducks", they were used to haul freight and such during Nam....and they would NEVER be sent on a combat mission except in emergency.
Folks, people are flooding the radio talk shows today. Grown men callers are breaking down and crying right on the air. Many are just shouting with angry passion.
Conservative former congressman J D Hayworth (R.AZ) is the host. He's darn near crying himself. His voice is somber...and he's now decrying the lack of info coming out on this tragedy because the loved ones are in prolonged states of fear and panic.
Oh, my.....this is all so wrong. I'm heartbroken. A close family member of mine was in Special Forces which brings it closer emotionally.
All the callers are saying the same thing, if we're fighting with one arm behind our backs....and our brave military are being used as "social nation-builders" instead of brutal fighters fighting a brutal war TO WIN....then bring them home!
Leni
You are correct, they usually use a Blackhawk with a backup chopper or two. This is very odd.
“He flatly stated that these helicopters were “sitting ducks”, they were used to haul freight and such during Nam....and they would NEVER be sent on a combat mission except in emergency.”
He’s very, very WRONG.
MH-47G
MH-47G Chinook, during the aircraft’s rollout ceremony 6 May 2007 at Boeing
The MH-47G Special Operations Aviation (SOA) version is currently being delivered to the US Army. It is similar to the MH-47E, but features a more sophisticated avionics including a digital Common Avionics Architecture System (CAAS). The CAAS is common glass cockpit used by different helicopters such as MH-60K/Ls, CH-53E/Ks, and ARH-70As.[59] The MH-47G will also incorporate all of the new sections of the CH-47F.[60]
Based on operational experience in Afghanistan, the CH-47 was found to be an effective substitute for the UH-60 Black Hawk as an assault helicopter. With its larger payload, range, and higher operating speed, one Chinook can replace up to five UH-60s in this role as an air assault transport.[61]
The new modernization program will improve MH-47D and MH-47E Special Operations Chinooks to the MH-47G design specs. A total of 25 MH-47E and 11 MH-47D aircraft were upgraded by the end of 2003. In 2002 the army announced plans to expand the Special Operations Aviation Regiment. The expansion would add 12 additional MH-47G helicopters.[62] On February 10, 2011, Leaders and employees from the H-47 program gathered for a ceremony at Boeing’s helicopter facility in Ridley Township, PA., to commemorate the delivery of the final MH-47G Chinook to U.S. Army Special Operations Command.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CH-47_Chinook