Posted on 10/21/2001 10:15:48 AM PDT by 2Jedismom
No. 530-10
October 21, 2001
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Department of Defense announced today the names of two servicemembers killed in Friday's helicopter crash in Pakistan. Killed were Spc. Jonn J. Edmunds, 20, of Cheyenne, Wyo. and Pfc. Kristofor T. Stonesifer, 28, of Missoula, Mont.
The two Army Rangers were passengers in a Blackhawk helicopter that crashed while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Hostile fire has been ruled out as a cause of the crash, which remains under investigation.
Gen. Richard B. Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, offered his condolences to the families of those killed.
"They and all who are participating in Operation Enduring Freedom are heroes. They put their lives on the line on behalf of freedom and on behalf of America, and they do it each and every day. I'm so very proud of them and their comrades in arms," he said.
"As the president has said," added Myers, "they did not die in vain."
Sounds like a controlled crash to me. I've seen it where the rotor's went tumbling in random directions through anything and everything. If the ranger's were on a cord instead of strapped into a seat, they could have bounced out or just been in the wrong place.
Visited Rangers during Just Cause who'd been dangling legs off an MH6 went the bird went down....the purpose was a quick exit. They'd had their legs trapped underneath and there were some bad injuries. The Pilots were unhurt.
Maybe I should not have jumped into the fight where I perceived one to be, and for that and that alone I do apoligize. FrogMom is a big girl and can handle herself quite well, BUT when I feel someone in my family, especially my own mother is under attack I will jump in and give my 2 cents worth not giving two hoots about who you are. I dont care what your credentials are, all you will ever be to me is a screen name. I am grown up, I do have a brain, I do not need pills, and I will blast off at anyone whom I think deserving, yes dear, even if that includes you.
Since you're an old Huey pilot, I'll defer to you. Thank you for your service! BTW, I heard that Army aviation was doing a lot of training on simulators these days. I hope they aren't doing that as a cost cutting measure to replace actual flight hours.
Servicemen's Groups Life Insurance (SGLI) death benefits were raised to $250,000 in April of this year. There are other benefits available to families of deceased servicemen (social security, etc.), but this is the main one. Almost all servicemen sign up for SGLI (it involves premiums deducted from monthly paychecks, currently running about $20). Those who don't are normally browbeaten by their senior NCOs and commanders until they see the light. Sometimes the wisdom of age and experience has to pound some sense into the invincibility of youth. It's all part of taking care of your fellow Soldier, Sailor, Airman, or Marine (or warfighter, if that's what trips your trigger).
Well, Love, sorry you are insulted. I work in a Joint Service Command, and that's what they call them, Warfighters, covers ALL branches of Service.
P.S. Thank you for your service and sacrifices
I think I know where the first poster is coming from. "Warfighter" sounds like DOD-speak and causes a little skepticism from those in the field and in the fleet, particularly from those who have been told for years that they are proud SOLDIERS, SAILORS, AIRMEN & MARINES. By DOD-speak, I mostly mean all of that sensitivity and EO drivel that has eminated from the Pentagon in the last few decades, getting worse in the last few years.
I actually think "warfighter" is a pretty good term though, considering I want to revert the Department of Defense back to the War Department. Of course, when it was the War Department, men were men and women didn't try to be like them. O.K., I've got my flack vest on, fire away.
I actually think "warfighter" is a pretty good term though, considering I want to revert the Department of Defense back to the War Department. Of course, when it was the War Department, men were men and women didn't try to be like them. O.K., I've got my flack vest on, fire away.
No flack vest needed unless, of course, you are headed overseas because I completely agree with you.
It takes an average of six people to support every person we put into actual combat. Six people to do everything from ordering the uniforms and bullets and toilet paper to sorting the mail. In WWII women performed many of those functions, from riviting the aircraft to flying them to re-supply combat areas. They provided a tremendous amount of that six-people support chain. If they got pregnant they went home and another stepped into her place.
Now, if they get pregnant, the unit is charged with having their six people, but can't get the job done because one of them is on quarters or rotated home because she's pregnant. The person on the battlefield doesn't get their bullets and mail as fast or efficiently.
Now, can I borrow that vest, please?
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