Dust-off - MEDEVAC Mission Afghanistan
Tissues may be needed. They were for me.
November 2007
From the CJFT-82 website:
In a scene all too familiar to US Servicemen past and present, a UH-60 MEDEVAC Helicopter, always call signed Dust-off, evacuates US Army Paratroopers and Afghan Army soldiers who were ambushed near Forward Operating Base Bella in November.
Read the rest here.
(H/t to Hot Air and Soldiers Angels Germany)
You won’t find this on any news channel, damn them. Maybe on the History Channel in a couple of years.
Unsung heroes indeed.
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January 14th, 2008 at 9:25 pm
Amazing, just amazing. Sadly, if you show this to a child, they believe it is a video game. Even if the media aired this, they would prelude it as “unsubstantiated” to further hide the dangerous missions that are the stark reality of true bravery.
Thank you for sharing it. Not sure If I will ever forget this and it is because I don’t want to.
January 15th, 2008 at 6:59 am
Pamela ~ I’m afraid you are right. I’ve heard Vietnam vets talk about hearing the ‘whap whap whap’ coming and they described it as the most beautiful sound in the world. It is truly amazing what our medevacs do.
January 15th, 2008 at 10:15 am
I saw this at MaryAnn’s and watched it again here - what a powerful piece of film. God Bless them all.
January 16th, 2008 at 12:21 am
That was such a brutal day for 173rd, Chosen Co, 2-503. Although the video mentions 3 Heroes taken off of the mountain there were actually six American casualties that day - five from Chosen Company and a Marine. The number of wounded Americans and Afghans was staggering. Thirty one hours of rescue and recovery. Thirty one hours. I’ve become friends with the parents of one of the wounded that day. Their son was shot four times but refused to leave the theatre. He was back in the fight within two weeks. Back with “his men.”
It is such a bittersweet video to watch. Such PRIDE for those who worked for 31 hours to evacuate the wounded and KIAs. Such anguish for the families of those who gave their lives. Impossible to express the gratitude for those who perished on our behalf.
January 16th, 2008 at 12:24 am
I cannot thank Yankeemom and so many others for all of the support they have given/sent to the 173rd, 2-503. It has made such a difference. So many great Americans from coast to coast have contibuted over 6000 pounds of winter gear, food, batteries, cards, etc. We’ve still got a long way to go but the Sky Soldiers are REALLY FEELIN’ THE LOVE!
Thank you Yankeemom for posting this and for you unending support of these Soldiers and every man and woman who wears (and has worn) the uniform of our Armed Forces.
January 16th, 2008 at 3:38 pm
FG - it is a powerful piece. To think this sort of thing is going on so many times by our Finest ~ ramping up my prayers another level.
Leta ~ thank you for the info on the 173rd, 2-503.
Bittersweet, for sure.
TB - wish I could do more - like deliver it in person and hug each and every one of them! I know you do too!
January 17th, 2008 at 4:08 am
Yankeemom, thank you so much for posting about this. Dustoff pilots have a very special place in my heart. And so do you.
January 17th, 2008 at 10:25 am
WT - I’m sure they do what with your involvement in The USO and the Vietnam War. Your support for our troops knows no bounds.
January 20th, 2008 at 4:37 pm
Thanks for highlighting the heroes of the Army’s Medical Corps. From the medic on the front lines with the troops to the Doctor in the field operating room, these professionals have saved SO MANY LIVES in the war on terrorism, and most of their life-saving deeds have gone unnoticed by most Americans. Fortunately for me I never experienced their healing love and compassion, because by the grace of God I came home from the war in Iraq alive and uninjured!
I’m certain the Medical Corps has it’s special place in heaven as well!