Blackhawk down and burning.
Injured Sfc. Okay now.
Pilot with relatively minor injuries.
Captain with relatively minor injuries.
The Lt. who wrote the above.
Posted on 12/11/2004 2:27:56 PM PST by anymouse
MOSUL, Iraq — A helicopter accident at an air base in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul killed two U.S. soldiers and injured four, the military said Friday.
The crash occurred when an AH-64 Apache helicopter hit a UH-60 Black Hawk that was on the ground, U.S. military spokesman Lt. Col. Paul Hastings said. The accident is under investigation and the cause had not been determined, he said.
(snip)
The names of the soldiers who died were being withheld until their families are notified.
(snip)
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
I was in the Blackhawk mentioned in the above story, which is mostly accurate. I, along with six others, were on a mission last night heading into Mosul. An Apache was flying next to us. Some say that the Apache took evasive action after being targeted by an RPG. Unfortunately, in doing so, it collided w/ our helicopter and tore off our rotors completely. The Blackhawk then fell to the ground. Good thing was that we were pretty low to the ground when the collision occurred. Otherwise, there's no way I'm here right now.
The Blackhawk hit pretty hard, but miracously landed on its belly, crushing the struts. I was conscious the entire time. On impact, I noticed several fires both inside and outside the bird. All I could think about was that I needed to get out as the Blackhawk would soon be engulfed in flames. I quickly glanced at the left door and noticed it was shut and that there was a huge fire, thus making an exit impossible. I then looked right and saw that the door had fallen off. Without thinking, I jumped out and began running. Then the Blackhawk exploded. I felt a massive amount of heat pass over me and fell to the ground. I stayed there for a few seconds. I got up again and didn't stop running until those in front of me had stopped, which was about 150 meters away from the downed chopter.
An accountability of everyone was taken. Everyone but me had injuries, ranging from burns to broken bones. I have no idea why I was the lone exception. All I could think about was getting a medevac. I popped some flares when the medevac arrived so we could be seen. The medics rendered emergency assistance on a few guys before evacuating us to the combat field hospital at LSA Diamondback.
The whole thing was surreal. I just sat in the hospital waiting room, hoping that everyone was all right. High ranking officers began coming in to see what happened. Being the only one around, they all directed their questions at me. Unfortunately, I was in the back seat and couldn't give much info. The colonels then looked at me and asked where I was injured. Other than having my pants torn up, I replied I had not suffered any injuries. They looked at me in awe, saying that I must be the luckiest person in the world. This scenario repeated itself several times throughout the night as physicians, nurses, various commanders and sergeants major would come over to me and ask how in the world had I escaped w/o injury. To be honest, I really have no clue. In any event, I've somehow become the lieutenant who walked away from the Blackhawk crash.
While at the hospital, I saw several avaitors walk in. They saw me and correctly guessed that I was on the flight. They told me that they were friends of our crew and asked about their condition, which fortunately was stabilized. They also asked me what happened. After telling them, they just looked at me, shaking their heads in disbelief. They couldn't believe that any of us were alive, let alone all seven. I told them that if I could do things differently, I would've helped the pilots out before running away (this is something that has bothered me all day). They said that was bullshit. According to these pilots, passengers have no clue what's going on in the cockpit and are not trained to do extractions. "You're only job is to get out and get away as far as possible," one said. Talking w/ them has been a big comfort, but I steal feal bad.
I stayed at the hospital until early morning. I talked w/ those on board and tried cheering their spirits, especially the pilot. This guy felt awful like it was somehow his fault. I told him that 7 people were alive b/c of him, that if not for his actions in keeping us upright, we'd all be dead. I then called Nicolle to let her know that I was okay. After that, investigators from various agencies showed up and began asking me questions and took a sworn statement. Through the investigation, I learned about the Apache collision. Unfortunately, both pilots in the Apache didn't make it. A team from mortuary affairs recovered their bodies overnight.
I've been in and out of it all today. I keep replaying the rotors being sliced off, the helicopter slamming into the ground, fires everywhere and running for safety. Again, it was so surreal. Two amazing things happened that typically don't: (1) we landed on our belly; (2) the door came off, allowing us to get out.
It's about 7:00 p.m. and I still haven't slept or showered yet. I reak of jet fuel. I lost all my gear, including my weapons, ruck sack, laptop computer (gov't issued, fortunately), uniform items & personal hygeine items. All I have w/ me are the torn clothes on my back. Plus, I'm about 30 miles from FOB Endurance, my home station. But I'm alive w/ no broken bones. And everyone from the Blackhaw will make a full recovery, although the pilots are really shaken up. I've been in contact w/ my unit all day and they've been great at getting me new uniforms, hygeine items, a bed and a blanket.
I've gone through every emotion in the book --joy at being alive; shame at being alive; fear; saddness. I'm still a bit shaken up, but am much better. I feel awful for the families and friends of the Apache crew.
Sorry for being so scattered brain. I guess I'm just really tired. I'll write more after the investigation. Would you please this to our parents and sibs. Internet here is really slow. Thanks.
BTW, attached are some pictures that were taken before the flight and after the crash. The guy in the final picture is now okay.
Vince
Blackhawk down and burning.
Injured Sfc. Okay now.
Pilot with relatively minor injuries.
Captain with relatively minor injuries.
The Lt. who wrote the above.
Amazing!
"One of our readers, Jack, is in Special Ops in Afghanistan and brought these pictures back. As you wolf down that third hamburger I remind all of you again this year to remember there are guys like Jack are out there for us."
More pictures than this and commentary on the site.
OOoops .. sorry .. I posted this to the wrong thread. These are about Afghanistan.
God rest their souls and grant them entry into heaven. No greater love than a man lays down his life for his friends.
Now has the press launched into how this was all GW's fault and if the helicopters all carried a few more thousand pounds of plate steel armor how safe our troops would be in them ?
I know that SFC! Oh my God! He's SFC Chuck Scarborough. We served together in Germany, years ago, and have maintained contact with Chuck and his wife. His wife says that he is okay, with a lot of bruises and a dislocated shoulder. Chuck is one of the greatest guys you'd ever hope to meet, and an incredible patriot. Please add him and his soldiers to your prayer list.
Update on SFC Scarborough (the guy in the picture above). He is such a trooper, that he's still working, dispite the dislocated shoulder. His wife say he lost all of his belongings in the burning Blackhawk. Looks like I'll be sending him a huge care package on Monday. I have his address if anyone else is interested.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Randy
Harris
10 December
2004 615.313.0662
(office)
04-63 615.517.0984
(CELL)
TENNESSEE ARMY NATIONAL GUARD HELICOPTER
INVOLVED IN IRAQ CRASH
Nashville, TN - The Tennessee National Guard today confirmed that a
Tennessee Army National Guard UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter was involved in
a two aircraft crash in Iraq on Thursday. The collision between the
Blackhawk and an AH-64 Apache helicopter occurred at a Forward Area
Refueling Point (FARP) near Mosul.
Pilots, crew and passengers escaped the Blackhawk aircraft with only
minor injuries. Both pilots in the Apache were killed. The fatalities
were not Tennessee National Guard soldiers. Names of the soldiers who
died are being withheld pending notification of the families.
All occupants of the Tennessee Army National Guard helicopter were
treated and returned to duty. Families of the injured soldiers have
been notified.
More than 3,600 Tennessee Army National Guard soldiers are deployed in
support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.
For additional information, contact the Tennessee National Guard Joint
Public Affairs Office at 615-313-0633.
####
Done...God bless him and all of them over there!
Bump for a real-world story. Quite frankly, it's difficult to see how anyone survived the mid-air.
May the families of the two Apache pilots know that they were doing their duty.
I was one of the Fire crew that helped you and your crew. I knew that you all survived with minor injurys. Its good to know your still kicking keep it up.
Thanks for your service, but I was just relaying the article and blog entry from the soldier, who you helped.
You might contact the blogger to find the contact info. for him.
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