Four Strap Onto Apaches To Retrieve Fallen Comrade

The comrades of a fallen Royal Marine in Afghanistan strapped themselves to the weapons-support wings of two Apaches helicopter Monday in a dramatic recovery, seen on video which continues to amaze people around the world.

Lieutenant Colonel Rory Bruce, UK Task Force spokesman, described the heroic mission as a "leap into the unknown" to British newspaper The Independent.

"This is believed to be the first time UK forces have ever tried this type of rescue mission," said Bruce. "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. And it was with great sadness they later found their brother-in-arms had been killed in action."

He told Sky News later that the soldiers had been under fierce fire as they approached the fort, but remained determined to not leave the scene without their colleague. "It was just extraordinary," he added.

Lance Corporal Mathew Ford of 45 Commando Royal Marines died Monday, as marines attacked a major Taliban fort to the south of Garmsir in southern Helmand province.

The idea of hitching a lift with the Apaches came from one of the helicopter pilots, who argued they could be in and out within five minutes, said Gary Robinson to the Evening Telegraph and Post. Robinson was one of the four Royal Marines who participated in the mission.

They flew in at low level at about 50 mph to protect the passengers, and touched down inside the fort. Although they caught the Taliban by surprise, it wasn't long before they came under intense fire. With other Apaches providing covering fire from above, the Marines quickly found their fallen colleague.

"All that was going through my head was basically what to do when we got on the ground and just make sure I knew exactly where I was going so I could reach Lance Corporal Ford as soon as possible and get out myself," said Robinson.

He added that when they were asked to volunteer for the mission not one man hesitated.

"They asked for volunteers and everyone put their hands up," he said. "The commanding officer picked four of us. "I knew L/Cpl Ford. I served with him, but in my position any one of my colleagues would do the same, I'm sure. As far as I'm concerned, any of my colleagues would have done the same thing if the roles were reversed.:

"I don't think it was heroic or dangerous in any way," Robinson added. "At the end of the day it's our job to do things like this."

The mission developed with an 8:00 am message to the operations room that one of Z (Zulu) Company was missing, said Colin Hearn, another rescue mission participant, to The Age.

They located the fallen Marine using an unmanned airborne vehicle, a reconnaissance plane that plays video of the battlefield back to the operations room. The discovery was later confirmed by an Apache flying overhead.

The Apache helicopter is a two-seat aircraft, carrying only a pilot and gunner, but there are attachments on the wings for personnel to harness themselves to in emergencies.

(Images courtesy of Royal Navy and UK Ministry of Defense)

FMI: www.royalnavy.mod.uk