Troops in daring Afghanistan mission

Herald Sun ^ | 17 January 2007

[Aussie Dasher]

FOUR British soldiers in Afghanistan strapped themselves to the wings of fast-moving Apache attack helicopters in a daring attempt to rescue a comrade shot by the Taliban.

"This is believed to be the first time UK forces have ever tried this type of rescue mission ... 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,'' said UK Task Force spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Rory Bruce.

Royal Marine Lance Corporal Matthew Ford, 30, was shot on Monday when more than 200 British troops attacked the Islamist militia's Jugroom Fort in southern Helmand province.

When Lance-Cpl Ford was discovered to be missing, the Marines first planned a rescue attempt with armoured personnel carriers, but when the Apaches became available they decided the fast attack helicopters provided the best opportunity to rescue him.

But the helicopters can only carry a pilot and a gunner, although according to The Guardian newspaper there are attachments on the wings that soldiers can harness themselves to in emergencies.

[Aussie Dasher]

God bless and protect all the brave fighting men and women of our Allied forces.

[righthand man]

bump

[F-117A]

My heart goes out to these brave men!

[timer]

Genetic descendants of barn-storming wing walkers from long ago...

[do the dhue]

bookmark

[Chena]

God bless these men of valor!!! I'm sorry to hear that their soldier, Lance Cpl Ford, was found dead. Prayers for his family, and all good men and women who sacrifice their lives for us all.

[elhombrelibre]

They recovered the body. These are very brave men...uncommonly brave.

[red irish]

My daughters boyfriend is at Fort Benning and is suppose to go to Afganistan soon.His name is David please keep him in your prayers. He has already did a tour in Iraq.

[ExcursionGuy84]

Somehow...the movie Flight of the Phoenix comes to mind...

...when I think of men attaching themselves to wings.

[F-117A]

Thanks for posting that Red.

My prayers and thanks go out to David!

[El Gato]

FOUR British soldiers in Afghanistan strapped themselves to the wings of fast-moving Apache attack helicopters in a daring attempt to rescue a comrade shot by the Taliban.

Now that takes big brass ones.

A salute to the Big Brass Ones of our Brit Allies.

[ASOC]

STABO rigs at work, they have been around since before the RVN conflict. Rapple in STABO out. See photos here. Look for STABO or McQuire rig. Hanging from an Apache is certainly the way to fly. Be cool if some photos get posted, good for these guys taking care of their own. Ooo-ah.

[ASOC]

STABO rigs at work, they have been around since before the RVN conflict. Rapple in STABO out.

See photos here. Look for STABO or McQuire rig. Hanging from an Apache is certainly the way to fly.

Be cool if some photos get posted, good for these guys taking care of their own.

Ooo-ah. (Para is your friend)

[Brit1]

Don't screw with the Royal Marines and especially the
Special Boat Section (SBS)........'By Strength and Guile'.