Today a friend of mine sent me an email about this daring Helicopter rescue in Afghanistan. I had seen these pictures before from an article I had read and I remember what I was thinking that day as I read the article. I was thinking of the men and women that serve our country and all the stories that I have read and heard. One story was of a platoon of soldiers from the 2-503rd of the 173rd Airborne that had been requesting air support but no Helicopter pilot would go into the A.O. because it was to hot and then they heard a familiar female pilots voice coming over the radio asking the R.T.O. to pop smoke indicating the Platoons position. The voice was music to the R.T.O.'s ears as he knew this gal was coming in hot and would bring some heat off the Platoon so they could maneuver to flank the enemy. He had heard her voice many times taking missions other pilots would not. She rolled in and strafed the enemy position giving the platoon enough time to maneuver and flank the enemy.
I have read so many articles about heroic deeds performed by our soldiers and I must believe that these men and woman are of a different breed than when I served so many years ago. These soldiers really do go above and beyond. They are truly brothers and sisters in the Sand Box watching each others backs at all cost.
The above pictures are of a daring rescue of some wounded soldiers that otherwise would have had to travel miles via road to get treatment. Both of these shots are of the same airlift just from different angle I am very familiar with this type of aircraft and believe me this is not a very easy task. The pilot must maintain a constant on the collective so that there is no load on the building. This pretty much means that the pilot is hovering with the wheels just barley touching the roof. Not an easy task at all. Just imagine the pilot not maintaining very little weight on the building roof and poof the building collapses along with all the wounded that was there as well as the medics. These pilots are good and on top of their game.
It brings me great comfort knowing that my soldier is supported by these men and women. I salute them every day for supporting our soldiers. Who ever you are, Thank You from my heart!
Larry Arnone
San Francisco, Ca
AKA A Blue Star Dad (and I want to keep it that way)
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