Royal Marines strap themselves to Apache gunships to retrieve body

[Grey_Fox]

Here's two articles from the bbc:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/6269613.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/6285091.stm

Pretty damned cool.

There's also a video of the marines going in on the helicopters on one of the links.

[Fragony]

It needs Wagner

[BDC]

It's pretty dramatic.

[caravel]

If it had gone wrong, with one of them falling off and being chopped up by a rotor, it would have been the usual "badly equipped" and "why were they strapped to an attack helicopter?" type of stories, focusing on the mere handful of chinooks operating in the region.

[BDC]

If it had gone wrong, with one of them falling off and being chopped up by a rotor, it would have been the usual "badly equipped" and "why were they strapped to an attack helicopter?" type of stories, focusing on the mere handful of chinooks operating in the region.

Nonsense, they're Royal Marines. Rotor blades would bounce off.

They need some proper transport...

[Hosakawa Tito]

Leave no one behind. It's the creed of most elite military units. Some may consider it above and beyond the call of duty, but they don't. It's an obligation to one's mates. Well done.
Semper Fidelis!

Actually, the attack choppers are equipped to be used as emergency transport, usually to insert small covert team operations. No doubt they have trained for this situation too.

[InsaneApache]

My dad was a 'bootneck'. They are one set of mad buggers though.

On the 28th October 1664 an Order-in-Council was issued calling for 1200 soldiers to be recruited for service in the Fleet, to be known as the Duke of York and Albany's Maritime Regiment of Foot. As the Duke of York was The Lord High Admiral, it became known as the Admiral's Regiment. The Regiment was paid by the Admiralty, it and its successors being the only long service troops in the 17th and 18th century navy.

They were therefore not only soldiers but also seamen, who were part of the complement of all warships. In 1704, during the war with France and Spain, the British attacked the Rock of Gibraltar: 1,900 British and 400 Dutch marines prevented Spanish reinforcements reaching the fortress. Later, British ships bombarded the city while marines and seamen stormed the defences. These later withstood nine months of siege. Today the Royal Marines display only the battle honour "Gibraltar", and their close relationship with the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps continues.

http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/server/show/nav.5624

The Queen's Colour

The Union Flag, in the centre of which is a foul anchor with the cipher of HM The Queen interlaced; above, St Edward's Crown surmounted by a scroll inscribed 'Gibraltar'; below, the globe surrounded by a laurel wreath, under which a scroll inscribed with the Corps motto 'Per Mare Per Terram'. The cords and tassels are of gold interwoven with silks of the Commando's colour which corresponds to the Commando lanyards worn by all ranks.

http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/server/show/nav.2571

Well done.
Semper Fidelis!

Wrong motto but the sentiments are appreciated.

[BDC]

Leave no one behind. It's the creed of most elite military units. Some may consider it above and beyond the call of duty, but they don't. It's an obligation to one's mates. Well done.
Semper Fidelis!

Actually, the attack choppers are equipped to be used as emergency transport, usually to insert small covert team operations. No doubt they have trained for this situation too.

They were trained for it. First time they've done it in action though.

[Hosakawa Tito]

InsaneApache, I believe the motto applies to all my brothers & cousins in the Marine Corps., no matter the nationality.

Maybe so, BDC, and knowing how they train, I bet the real McCoy was easier. The more one sweats in training the less one bleeds in combat.

[Spetulhu]

They might have trained for it but it still takes balls of steel to strap yourself to an attack helo in Afghanistan. Leave no one behind!

[Hosakawa Tito]

They might have trained for it but it still takes balls of steel to strap yourself to an attack helo in Afghanistan. Leave no one behind!

Which is why being a Marine is not for everyone. Balls of steel indeed.

[Somebody Else]

Which is why being a Marine is not for everyone. Balls of steel indeed.

It's a wonder the thing could take off...

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

InsaneApache, I believe the motto applies to all my brothers & cousins in the Marine Corps., no matter the nationality.

Maybe so, BDC, and knowing how they train, I bet the real McCoy was easier. The more one sweats in training the less one bleeds in combat.

Actually the motto applies to a foot regiment in Britain, not the Marines. That regiment is, or rather was, the 11th/39th/54th (Devon & Dorset Light Infantry)

My local outfit.

Still a nice sentiment, not sure how a Marine would feel about the association with a motly group of soldiers.

[BDC]

Still a nice sentiment, not sure how a Marine would feel about the association with a motly group of soldiers.

Broken nose time?

[Papewaio]

Amazing that they did it, even more interesting that it was designed to do such in an emergency...

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.

I assume that was more intended for picking up other helicopter crews that had been shot down rather then marines who didn't say shotgun fast enough.

Sidenote:

One of guys I went to Uni with said that in most bar fights the different services would fight against each other and/or other units... but the special forces guys always looked out (as in protected not targeted) for the pilots of any service because those were the guys most likely to cover their butts in warfare.

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

Pap: Actually insertion by Attack Hellicopter is fairly common for black ops. In that case the boys would be attached and then drop down on lines, after which the Helli can give them cover if need be.

BDC: Yeah, probably the same as association with American Marines.*

*For those who are not aware the generally voiced opinion among Brits in uniform is that the American military, well.... sucks.

[Papewaio]

I assume most black ops do use helicopters... just ones that are designed for that particular job in particular (blackhawks and other such gear)... I wonder the consequences of a hellfire firing with someone sitting on the wing...

[Samurai Waki]

*For those who are not aware the generally voiced opinion among Brits in uniform is that the American military, well.... sucks.

Well... the Standard Army Grunt for the US Army basically does suck in comparison to the Standard Army Grunt in most Euro Militaries. I've never served in the Army, and my Paintball Team went up against some US GIs, we basically handed their butts to them without so much as a single loss to our side. Going up Against Marines was a right bit more difficult, we won, but barely. And as for Navy Seals... we were spanked five ways to Amarillo, within the first fifteen seconds of the Match.

Though Brits can't argue that when it comes to military power, that America has the obvious might in combined Arms, a much bigger fist, with a much more powerful punch. You can have your royal marines, I'll take the Combined Arms Force any day of the week.

Now if the US military was properly managed just think of the possibilities

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

The general opinion is that any British serviceman/woman is at least three levels above their American counterpart, mainly because the gear sucks, and therefore the soldiers need to be better.


This is why I have mixed feelings about Body Armour, the best way to avoid getting shot is not to be in the way of the bullet and body armour reduces your ability to do that.

[Redleg]

The general opinion is that any British serviceman/woman is at least three levels above their American counterpart, mainly because the gear sucks, and therefore the soldiers need to be better.

That's funny, since I remember particapating is several war games against the British at Fort Lewis, where the light infantry brigade assigned to Fort Lewis at the time. 3rd Brigade, 25th Light Infantry sort of smack around the British Unit in the Brigade Exercis that I happen to observe/evalute at the time.

Yes indeed other countries and other services always thinks less of other units/militaries.

But when comparing anything I just remember that American Artillerymen are smart enough not to smoke next to open powder cans. Something that the british artillerymen in Desert Storm learned to their sorrow when they destroyed one of their Artillery pieces and had two of their artillerymen severly burned from their carelessness and stupidity. ie the brits were smoking in the gun while loading powder into the breech. Not a smart move at all.

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

I never said it was fact Red but it is the opinion of every soldier I have met.

[Redleg]

I never said it was fact Red but it is the opinion of every soldier I have met.

Did I claim to state that you stated it was fact? Or is it like I said, "That's funny"

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

Beg pardon, late night, crossed wires.

Of course I can't trust you, because being an American you would say that about the British.

[BDC]

From what I remember of reading Black Hawk Down, the US Delta Force regarded the Rangers (?) as amateurs, whilst they regarded the regular soliders as amateurs. Presumeably the Delta Force men were horrified by them.

[Redleg]

From what I remember of reading Black Hawk Down, the US Delta Force regarded the Rangers (?) as amateurs, whilst they regarded the regular soliders as amateurs. Presumeably the Delta Force men were horrified by them.

Ah that is also typical. A Ranger firesupporter who was in Somilia during the events covered in the book, had some specific comments about the Delta Force individuals in Somilia that can not be repeated here, he also wasn't very favorable about the author of the book either. So I took his comments with a grain of salt.

[Hosakawa Tito]

The general opinion is that any British serviceman/woman is at least three levels above their American counterpart, mainly because the gear sucks, and therefore the soldiers need to be better.


This is why I have mixed feelings about Body Armour, the best way to avoid getting shot is not to be in the way of the bullet and body armour reduces your ability to do that.

Yes, some have and still do, underestimate our servicemen & women, to our advantage. They are welcome to their opinions, however the veracity of the statement doesn't merit a response.

Unless one possesses the trait "faster than a speeding bullet" or never enters a combat situation, then wearing body armor increases one's chances of surviving the inevitable "in the line of fire" scenario, especially in the up close and personal nature of urban combat.

[KukriKhan]

I'm still digging to find a similar story from the 90's, where some US SpecOps guys lashed themselves to a Cobra helicopter's weapons "wing" for transport.

The funny bit I remember hearing, was that when the operation ended, the Cobra pilot remarked "I'm sure glad you guys knew how to do this - I've never tried it!". The operators looked at each other, and one replied:

"We were happy that YOU knew what you were doing - we've never done it before!".

Maybe an urban (military) legend.

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

Yes, some have and still do, underestimate our servicemen & women, to our advantage. They are welcome to their opinions, however the veracity of the statement doesn't merit a response.

Heard some funny stories, but I'm sure you have equal ones about the British. Probably was true in the 80's though

Unless one possesses the trait "faster than a speeding bullet" or never enters a combat situation, then wearing body armor increases one's chances of surviving the inevitable "in the line of fire" scenario, especially in the up close and personal nature of urban combat.

The slower you are the slower you cross open ground, the slower you move in and out of cover. As I said, I have mixed feelings.

[BDC]

The slower you are the slower you cross open ground, the slower you move in and out of cover. As I said, I have mixed feelings.

Probably wouldn't though if you were actually being shot at.

Some of the American soldiers at checkpoints seem to be wearing more armour than mediaeval knights did...

[Redleg]

Body Armor has become part of the basic uniform for most American troops. I was wearing a heavy vest in the early 1990, and it has gotten lighter over time as the material became stronger and lighter. The vest I wore in 1990 was a lot better then the ones worn in Vietnam.

You train with the weight until it becomes part of you.