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Royal Marines launch dramatic rescue bid to save fallen soldier
Media: The Associated Press
Byline: By DANICA KIRKA
Date: 17 January 2007
LONDON_British Marines strapped themselves to helicopters in a daring dash
into hostile territory to rescue a fallen comrade in Afghanistan, but it was
too late to save his life, defense officials said Wednesday.
The effort to save Lance Cpl. Mathew Ford, 30, followed an attack Monday on
a fort being used as an insurgent base in Afghanistan's southern Helmand
province. After falling back to regroup, the forces realized Ford had been
left behind, according to an account by the Ministry of Defense.
The forces quickly drafted a plan to rescue Ford using Apaches, an attack
helicopter which is so crammed with equipment that only two people can be
seated. Two Marines were strapped on the side wings of each of two Apache
helicopters. A third Apache provided cover.
"It was a leap into the unknown," said Lt. Col. Rory Bruce, the spokesman of
the U.K. task force, which is the British force operating under NATO
command. "This is believed to be the first time U.K. forces have ever tried
this type of rescue mission."
While other units provided cover fire, one Apache landed inside the wall of
the fort, and one outside. The four Marines got off the wings, together with
some of the army air corps air crew, to provide cover. Ford's body was
strapped on an Apache and taken away.
"With great sadness, they later found that their brother-in-arms had been
killed in action," Bruce said.
British troops have faced fierce action since moving into southern
Afghanistan last year for a mission some have charged was a disaster in the
making. Critics of Prime Minister Tony Blair have accused politicians of
failing to anticipate the strength of resurgent Taliban forces and of
sending forces ill-equipped to do a job involving far more combat than
anticipated.
Casualty figures have climbed: 46 military personnel have died in
Afghanistan, though not all have been killed in combat.
News of the rescue mission dominated British television newscasts Wednesday,
leading to speculation that the forces who undertook the rescue mission
should be awarded military honors. The Marines who undertook the mission
have not been named.
"Clearly the prime minister would want to pay tribute to the bravery
displayed, but it is too early to speculate about awarding of honors," said
Blair's official spokesman, who speaks on condition of anonymity in line
with government rules. "Everyone recognizes the bravery involved."
Media: The Associated Press
Byline: By DANICA KIRKA
Date: 17 January 2007
LONDON_British Marines strapped themselves to helicopters in a daring dash
into hostile territory to rescue a fallen comrade in Afghanistan, but it was
too late to save his life, defense officials said Wednesday.
The effort to save Lance Cpl. Mathew Ford, 30, followed an attack Monday on
a fort being used as an insurgent base in Afghanistan's southern Helmand
province. After falling back to regroup, the forces realized Ford had been
left behind, according to an account by the Ministry of Defense.
The forces quickly drafted a plan to rescue Ford using Apaches, an attack
helicopter which is so crammed with equipment that only two people can be
seated. Two Marines were strapped on the side wings of each of two Apache
helicopters. A third Apache provided cover.
"It was a leap into the unknown," said Lt. Col. Rory Bruce, the spokesman of
the U.K. task force, which is the British force operating under NATO
command. "This is believed to be the first time U.K. forces have ever tried
this type of rescue mission."
While other units provided cover fire, one Apache landed inside the wall of
the fort, and one outside. The four Marines got off the wings, together with
some of the army air corps air crew, to provide cover. Ford's body was
strapped on an Apache and taken away.
"With great sadness, they later found that their brother-in-arms had been
killed in action," Bruce said.
British troops have faced fierce action since moving into southern
Afghanistan last year for a mission some have charged was a disaster in the
making. Critics of Prime Minister Tony Blair have accused politicians of
failing to anticipate the strength of resurgent Taliban forces and of
sending forces ill-equipped to do a job involving far more combat than
anticipated.
Casualty figures have climbed: 46 military personnel have died in
Afghanistan, though not all have been killed in combat.
News of the rescue mission dominated British television newscasts Wednesday,
leading to speculation that the forces who undertook the rescue mission
should be awarded military honors. The Marines who undertook the mission
have not been named.
"Clearly the prime minister would want to pay tribute to the bravery
displayed, but it is too early to speculate about awarding of honors," said
Blair's official spokesman, who speaks on condition of anonymity in line
with government rules. "Everyone recognizes the bravery involved."
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