Helicopter Rescue in Afghanistan
So my wife forwards me a pic of a helicopter rescue in Afghanistan. I'm not really sure if it's the real deal that actually happened in Afghanistan, or just a Photochop. Either way, it looks like it came straight out of the movies.Here's the description / message from what I believe is the original e-mail:
This photo was taken by a soldier in Afghanistan of a helo rescue mission. The pilot is a PA Guard guy who flies EMS choppers in civilian life. Now how many people on the planet you reckon could set the ass end of a chopper down on the roof top of a shack on a steep mountain cliff and hold it there while soldiers load wounded men in the rear??? If this does not impress you ... nothing ever will. Gives me the chills and a serious case of the vertigo ... I can't even imagine having the nerve ... much less the talent and ability ... God Bless our military!!!!!
posted by Big Daddy Yee at 7:33 AM
4 Comments:
Hardcore! But why send a Chinook for a rescue mission? Out of choppers?
excellent question - my brother in law is actually an ex-marine who is now working in Baghdad as an independent contractor. If i can get in touch with him, I will ask him why the US military would continue to use such dated military equipment.
Oh, Chinooks aren't dated. It's just more for transportation and supply missions. Rescue choppers would to be something like the Blackhawk or even a Huey.
Ok - you sparked my interest. Per the CH-47 Chinook entry in Wikipedia (granted, no one should rely on Wiki as a definitive reference), it states: "The CH-47D saw wide use in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq. The Chinook was used in air assault missions, inserting troops into fire bases and later bringing food, water, and ammunition. It is typically escorted by attack helicopters such as the Apache for protection. The CH-47D was particularly useful in the mountainous terrain of Afghanistan where high altitudes and temperatures limited the use of the Black Hawk."
Oh - and i assumed that you meant the age of the craft because I knew that the Chinook first saw combat action back in the mid 60's during the Vietnam war. As an interesting footnote, an updated production Chinook just began in June 2006 - it is anticipated that this will extend the feasible life of the craft til 2030. I can hardly believe that the US military has plans on using ay aircraft that will be nearly 70 years old since inception!
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