The adrenaline and anticipation is flowing throughout every member of both aircrews. Suddenly, the helicopters are welcomed with a hail of gunfire. The teams respond quickly and return salutations with successive rounds of automatic machinegun fire.
The enemy backs off. However, both crews ran out of ammunition and the enemy sees an opening to attack ground troops once again. A decision must be made. It must be made quickly because every delayed second is another 101st Airborne Division Soldier wounded.
"We stay and fight," said Lt. Col. James H. Bradley Jr., the battalion commander of the 3rd Assault Helicopter Battalion, 1st Aviation Regiment, Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Infantry Division.
On January 16 2008, two aircrews commanded by Bradley and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Joseph Henry, supported Troop C., 1st Squadron 32nd Cavalry ground forces as an aerial reaction force. After his crew dispensed the helicopter's ammunition, the team made low passes at the enemy to draw enemy fire.
Bradley stated how proud he was of his team and how privileged he felt to serve with them. "Heroic events happen in OIF everyday. Most events go unrecognized."
"These men are part of the brotherhood," said Col. Scott McBride, the commander of the 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, "who without thought, on the morning of 16 January, while Soldiers, our great Soldiers were on the ground fighting an enemy at a distance of less than 20 meters," he said as he continued to explain the fight. "Three men are down within 15 seconds, under withering fire there was no thought. These pilots saved the lives of many of our soldiers."
Instilled into the majority of Soldiers out on the battlefields today are the words, never leave a fallen comrade, Col. Jessie Farrington, the commander of the 1st Combat Aviation Brigade said as he expressed words of gratitude.
However, this flight team does not look upon themselves as heroes.
"We had to do our jobs, we had to go back to our training and get our guys," said Sgt. Paul Perdock, a Black Hawk crew chief and flight instructor for 3-1 Aviation Battalion.
"We support the ground guys. Our whole reason for existence is to help these guys out and it's nice to be able to do that in situations like this," said Chief Warrant Officer 3 Lyndle Ratliff, the standardization officer for Company B in 3-1 Aviation Battalion.
The eight humble Soldiers of the 3-1 Aviation Battalion were honored during an award ceremony outside of the 1st Combat Aviation Brigade headquarters building on June 14. Bradley received the Silver Star Medal, Ratliff received the Distinguished Flying Cross, Chief Warrant Officer 3 James Howe, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Joseph Henry, Sgt. Fredrick Benuzzi, Perdock, Spc. Jacob Norotsky and Spc. Kenneth Steinmetz received Air Medals with Valor.
The enemy has been suppressed for now. The helicopters are severely damaged. What a very respectful closing to two humble crews. "With another job well done; now we can go home."
| Date Taken: | 06.22.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 06.22.2008 09:18 |
| Story ID: | 20737 |
| Location: |
| Web Views: | 384 |
| Downloads: | 329 |
This work, Never give up, by Kyle Richardson, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
