You might have noticed that the title of this week's American Patriot/Hero of the week post is missing something. This is not an oversight on my part, I purposely removed the "American" and "Patriot" parts because this week's honoree is not an American, and while he me be a patriot, typically these posts are only for patriotism of the American variety. His actions to save brave American soldiers under fire by jihadi terrorists mean that this weeks honoree is so great is my esteem, that I could not let the chance to honor him pass me by despite being a Brit.
Flight Lieutenant Ian FortuneA British Chinook helicopter pilot was shot between the eyes by a Taliban bullet - but flew on and saved all 20 aboard, The Sun reported.
The Sun reports that Flight Lieutenant Ian Fortune, 28, had flown in to pick up casualties as a firefight raged between American and Afghan forces and heavily-armed rebels near Garmsir in Helmand Province.
Flt-Lt Fortune - who had TV presenter Mike Brewer on the aircraft filming a documentary - was advised to hold off on approach to the battle as it was "too hot" on the ground. He circled until troops reported incoming fire had calmed down.
But as he flew in the helicopter came under attack - which continued as casualties were being loaded.
Then, as he lifted off, Flt-Lt Fortune was shot. A bullet hit a metal rail on the front of his helmet which is used to attach night vision goggles.The round then penetrated his helmet hitting him between the eyes. It knocked his head back and caused severe bleeding.
More bullets followed, hitting the Chinook's controls and shutting down the stabilisation system.
But with blood pouring into his eyes, Flt-Lt Fortune battled with the controls to stop the chopper from spiraling out of control
Then with the aircraft lurching from side to side he continued flying for eight minutes before landing at Camp Bastion.
He was taken to the field hospital and treated for his wound.
It is the first time in the nine-year war in Afghanistan a pilot has been shot while in the air.
One senior RAF source said: "This could have become one of the worst incidents of the conflict.
"If the bullet had hit the pilot a millimetre lower, those on board wouldn't have stood a chance.
"And had it not been for the skill of the pilot the result would have been the same."
Brewer, 41, who was with a crew from the Discovery Channel, said: "The courage and heroism of the pilot was beyond belief.
The Sun reports that Flight Lieutenant Ian Fortune, 28, had flown in to pick up casualties as a firefight raged between American and Afghan forces and heavily-armed rebels near Garmsir in Helmand Province.
Flt-Lt Fortune - who had TV presenter Mike Brewer on the aircraft filming a documentary - was advised to hold off on approach to the battle as it was "too hot" on the ground. He circled until troops reported incoming fire had calmed down.
But as he flew in the helicopter came under attack - which continued as casualties were being loaded.
Then, as he lifted off, Flt-Lt Fortune was shot. A bullet hit a metal rail on the front of his helmet which is used to attach night vision goggles.The round then penetrated his helmet hitting him between the eyes. It knocked his head back and caused severe bleeding.
More bullets followed, hitting the Chinook's controls and shutting down the stabilisation system.
But with blood pouring into his eyes, Flt-Lt Fortune battled with the controls to stop the chopper from spiraling out of control
Then with the aircraft lurching from side to side he continued flying for eight minutes before landing at Camp Bastion.
He was taken to the field hospital and treated for his wound.
It is the first time in the nine-year war in Afghanistan a pilot has been shot while in the air.
One senior RAF source said: "This could have become one of the worst incidents of the conflict.
"If the bullet had hit the pilot a millimetre lower, those on board wouldn't have stood a chance.
"And had it not been for the skill of the pilot the result would have been the same."
Brewer, 41, who was with a crew from the Discovery Channel, said: "The courage and heroism of the pilot was beyond belief.
4 comments:
A True Hero
Yes indeedy Fuzzy.
Wow what a hero this guy is.... However, if you read the real Daily Mail article it states that the bullet actually ricochet OFF his helmet in an upwards direction and did not actually make contact with any part of his head... but I must say your version sounds a lot better than it really was... keep up the good propaganda
Anon 9/24,
If you had read this blog before, or had more than two brain cells to rub together to form a complete thought, the green text is always a quote. "My Version," as you so quaintly put it, IS the Daily Mail article. I guess you would rather criticize than read. The article clearly says, "The round then penetrated his helmet hitting him between the eyes." For those out there with little grasp of the English language, "penetrated" means that the round went through his helmet and hit his skull, thank god for English hardheadedness. As an experiment however, I would like to invite you over to my house. I will give you a good helmet, say an American football helmet a the padding is thicker and better than anything I ever had in the Army, and I will swat you across the forehead with my metal Louisville Slugger softball bat. Don't worry about the damage to the bat, after my recent knee injury, it is unlikely hat I will ever play softball again. After that we will see if you can walk in a straight line, let alone fly a chopper under fire. I am relatively sure that there will be some blood, but the interests of science will be better served by that, as Lt. Fortune had blood in his eyes while he was flying. All you have to do is walk a straight line. Later at the hospital, which due to concussion you will surely need, we will see if the medical report says you were hit in the head, or the helmet. This man is a hero, and your efforts to diminish his accomplishments disgust me. Have no fear though, I promise that when I am swinging the bat it will all be in the interests of science, and I will receive no joy from it what so ever, I swear.
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