Extremely gutsy, they had no weapons with the CPG outside!
Talk about Selflessness.That guy is a HERO IMHO. We need more people like him.
Makes me even more proud to be an American!
A truly brave American soldier. GOD protect him.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/6269613.stm
BBC News - 17 January 2007
When his colleagues regrouped and found he was missing, they flew back.
Four strapped themselves to two Apache helicopters which landed inside and outside the fort's wall. But they discovered he was already dead.
UK Task Force spokesman, Lt Col Rory Bruce, said the heroic mission was a "leap into the unknown".
"This is believed to be the first time UK forces have ever tried this type of rescue mission," he said.
"It was an extraordinary tale of heroism and bravery of our airmen, soldiers and marines who were all prepared to put themselves back into the line of fire to rescue a fallen comrade.
"And it was with great sadness they later found their brother-in-arms had been killed in action."
L/Cpl Ford was part of a 200-strong force, who attacked the major Taleban fort to the south of Garmsir in the southern province.
The MoD said the Apache helicopter can only carry a pilot and a gunner but there are attachments on the wings for personnel to harness themselves to in emergencies.
The fort had been a surveillance target for more than two months.
A third Apache helicopter and other units provided covering fire, as the rescue bid got under way, the MoD said.
The helicopters landed in the fort and located L/Cpl Ford's body, which they then strapped to the Apache.
L/Cpl Ford, who was the eldest of three brothers, was brought up in Immingham, North East Lincolnshire - where his mother and stepfather still reside.
He shared a flat in Dundee with his fiancée, Ina.
His mother, Joan, said: "We are all devastated by the news of Mathew's death.
"He was a larger-than-life character who lived his life to the full.
"He was a wonderful son to me and brother to Thomas and Scott and was looking forward to his future with Ina."
L/Cpl Ford's commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Duncan Dewar RM, said the serviceman's "professionalism, reliability, and selflessness as well as his sharp wit marked him out from the crowd".
I saw that on the news earlier holy shit! That would have been scarier than the crash. That took some balls. But I am glad they are alive and well.
You got it!
They're all cowboys flying those attack helo's - God bless them - It is a past time in Iraq to sit back and watch the little birds (AH-6s) of ours (US) and of BW dart around like rocket-armed hornets taking the fight to AQ and their mimics...
Actually, British have done this in Afghanistan too. Very gutsy.
wow. Let’s see MICHAEL MOORE DO THAT!
Now THAT is a REAL frigging HERO.....
Meadow Muffin
Gives new meaning to the phrase “everyday heros.” God bless them all
Great Big Brass ones.....
Wow.
CWO Crist, you are a class act!
And I bet his decision process took less time than a blink of your eye.
Enormous ones. Outstanding work, CWO Crist.
There is a guy with supreme confidence in his equipment and pilot. He literally let it all hang out for a wounded buddy. Liberals and anti-American politicians can never understand that kind of sacrifice. You’d never see a soldier/Marine do that for his congressman.
PRESENT ARMS!!
We have the finest fighting force ever to grace the planet. Salt of the earth and fierce, what a combination!
Ping.
I know you have not posted since April of 2004 and hope you are safe and well. Your comments concerning Army aviation are missed.