Some Gave All  - Heroes of the Battlefield By BG E.J. Sinclair

This year’s annual AAAA Convention at Walt Disney World was an incredible success, with record attendance and a new format that allowed numerous opportunities to enjoy the various theme parks and local attractions. On behalf of all Aviation Soldiers, we pass on our compliments and appreciation to our association president, MG Ronald K. Andreson (Ret.), Executive Dir-ector Bill Harris, the Central Florida AAAA Chapter, the U.S. Special Operations Command, and the entire association team for their dedication and effort. A special thanks goes to our distinguished guest speakers, the panelists, and all of the association members who participated.

     It was also a chance to celebrate fantastic industry partnerships that are so crucial to Army Aviation in the Global War on Terrorism, the Reset program, and our transformation. But more importantly, it was also the appropriate event to reflect on the one thing that’s not changing in this extremely volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous world…the incredible contributions and sacrifices from our Soldiers.

          We recognized several Aviation Soldiers during the opening ceremony. I would like to share their stories that highlight the Warrior Ethos that exists in our branch today. These Soldiers personify the four tenets of the Warrior Ethos. Their stories warrant deeper study and analysis, as they undoubtedly provide significant inspiration and motivation for all.

I Will Always Place The Mission First

          On April 24, 2004, while performing duties as a UH-60 Black Hawk crew chief, SPC Justin Trayford observed enemy activity in the vicinity of an Iraqi village. Approximately 35 insurgents were observed digging and uncovering large numbers of mortars, 152mm artillery shells and rockets. The insurgents attempted to flee the site. Recognizing that the lead vehicle was not an immediate threat and trusting his instincts, SPC Trayford detected that something was wrong. He obtained permission to delay firing on the vehicle until he could determine why the occupant would not move away.

          After a few minutes two young children, approximately eight and four years old, exited the vehicle. Trayford’s superb situational awareness and decision not to engage the vehicle immediately prevented the accidental death of these children. Once the children departed the enemy vehicle Trayford engaged and disabled it. Trayford’s and his crew’s actions resulted in the capture of 20 anti-Iraqi forces and the seizure of over 15,000 rounds of ammunition. These actions helped save the lives of American Soldiers by preventing the construction of roadside improvised explosive devices and by reducing future attacks on U.S. forces in Iraq.

          SPC Trayford clearly demonstrated a mature understanding of controlled aggressive execution and always placed the mission first.

I Will Never Accept Defeat 

          On Dec. 21, 2004, SGT Fred Osgood distinguished himself at the 67th Combat Support Hospital while treating wounded in a mass casualty at Forward Operating Base Marez. He provided triage for over 70 casualties. Then, when the hospital came under mortar attack, Osgood calmly directed the removal of casualties and continued to administer patient care. Osgood then went on to assist in the emergency room, where he worked alongside of the physicians for hours.

          SGT Osgood demonstrated exceptional bravery, professional skill and leadership during his care of the wounded at FOB Marez and he never accepted defeat.

I Will Never Quit     

          On April 8, 2004, CW2 Jason Ray and his team of OH-58D Kiowa Warriors were enroute to Forward Arming and Refuel Point (FARP) Chevron in Iraq, when he received a mission change. A cavalry unit was in contact with enemy elements, in the vicinity of Raider Base in Abu Ghurayb, and receiving heavy indirect and direct fire. The troop commander requested reconnaissance and engagement of enemy dismounts around three suspected locations. During successive passes in and near the areas, both aircraft received a high volume of small arms, rocket propelled grenade (RPG), and machine gun fire from multiple locations within the city. Without regard for his own personal safety, CW2 Ray continued to provide reconnaissance and security.

          During the second to last pass, five enemy personnel armed with AK-47s and RPGs were identified. Once again the aircraft received heavy machine gun and small arms fire and the team broke off the engagement to re-attack. Undeterred, Ray and team attacked from another direction while still under intense enemy fire. On the team’s last pass, the aircraft received direct machine gun impacts in the cockpit. Ray’s pilot in command (PIC) received multiple gun shot wounds and was disabled and Ray himself sustained a chest contusion and bullet wound to his upper right bicep, disabling his right arm.

          With his PIC incapable of flying the aircraft, Ray took the flight controls using his left arm only and regained command of the helicopter during the descent. Although the injuries Ray sustained prevented use of his right arm, he maintained the presence of mind to select a suitable landing area and maneuvered the damaged aircraft in an approach. Prior to impact, Ray arrested the descent with his left hand on the collective, while manipulating the cyclic with his knees to maintain a level attitude. Upon landing, the helicopter continued to take enemy fire. As the two pilots moved away from the aircraft, it was engaged and destroyed by two enemy RPGs.

          The actions of CW2 Ray throughout the landing sequence, evading enemy capture and his medical treatment of his PIC, without regard for his own injuries or safety, demonstrates the highest degree of selfless service, valor and heroism, and resulted in the saving of his fellow pilot’s life. CW2 Ray’s effort to persevere despite all odds clearly demonstrates he will never quit.

I Will Never Leave A Fallen Comrade  

          On March 4, 2002, during the Battle of Takur Gahr in Afghanistan (during Operation Anaconda), CW4 Gregory Calvert, call sign Razor 01, was piloting an MH-47E. His mission was to reinforce and rescue an engaged and isolated U.S. special operations force. During the approach to the landing zone the aircraft was hit numerous times by enemy fire, wounding Calvert on the controls. Despite injury, he still completed a safe landing of the damaged Chinook, flying on one engine, to a sloping 10,500-foot mountaintop.

          While fighting the approaching enemy from the cockpit with his personal weapon, CW4 Calvert was wounded in both legs and his left hand was nearly severed by enemy rounds. Passing his carbine to another Soldier to use, Calvert, badly wounded, continued to attempt radio contact with other forces and directed fire towards the advancing enemy. The team of special ops warriors defended themselves and held their positions until a follow-on force could recover them 14 hours later.

          Seven of the 21 special operations Soldiers made the ultimate sacrifice, with 12 others wounded. The tenacity and ferocity with which they fought honors the hallowed pledge of leaving no warrior behind.

I Will Never Leave A Fallen Comrade

          On Oct. 16, 2004, CPT Ryan Welch and CW2 Justin Taylor, while flying a routine night reconnaissance mission, recognized the call sign of another aircraft from a distress call. Responding immediately, they redirected their AH-64D Longbow helicopter to perform what would become a heroic rescue. Contacting the downed pilot, they were informed that two OH-58D pilots were killed in action and that two surviving pilots were trying to make their way to a defendable position. One of the injured pilots was unable to walk.

          As they landed, CPT Welch quickly exited the aircraft armed with an M4 Carbine and his 9mm automatic. He retrieved the two injured pilots, carrying one back across the treacherous 100 meters to his waiting Longbow. With only two seats and a threatening enemy situation, they would have to use “self extraction.” Welch radioed CW2 Taylor and told him what he intended to do—put one Aviator in the front seat, and strap the other pilot and himself to the outside.

          Secured and assuming a defensive posture with his carbine, Welch gave Taylor a thumb’s up sign and the Apache lifted off. At 90 miles per hour the helicopter flew the 20 kilometers to Forward Operating Base Falcon, the closest base with a combat support hospital. Landing on the emergency pad, Welch and Taylor jumped out and helped medics take the two pilots inside for treatment.

          Once again, with sheer determination and ingenuity CPT Welch and CW2 Taylor have honored the hallowed pledge of leaving no warrior behind.

The Warrior Ethos

          On Easter Sunday, April 11, 2004, 29 Soldiers from 706th Transportation Company departed Baghdad International Airport on a convoy to Fallujah. Their mission was of the highest priority as they were hauling 32,000 gallons of JP-8 fuel in six tankers to resupply the U.S. Marines beginning the siege of the city. The Marines were all around Fallujah and fighting a continuously more intense battle with members of Mahdi’s army. While refueling in a FARP, CW3 Chuck Fortenberry and CW2 Shane Colton, call sign Bear-Trap 36, and their wingman overheard a call on “Sheriff” frequency from a unit in distress.

          The call came from SSG Robert Williamson, the convoy commander. His convoy was trapped in what the combat tested group of Soldiers would later call, “the worst ambush they had ever seen or heard of,” and were frantic for relief. The 706th was caught in what was determined to be a mile long “kill zone.”  As the volley of small arms fire from the enemy increased, it was joined by mortar fire and Soldiers began falling. Twenty-nine soldiers of 706th had been under the heavy fire of a direct ambush for almost 30 minutes. Desperate for assistance, Williamson relayed his cry for help through the command and control channel back at the airport, which assured them that assistance was not far away. It was during that call that Bear Trap 36 responded back over the radio and a surge of relief raced through SSG Williamson. He left the hand-mike to run down the line shouting, “We’ve got help on the way! We’ve got help on the way!”

          The NCOs of 706th immediately witnessed a wave of relief and exaltation sweep over the Soldiers who had been pinned down for almost an hour and already had five of their members awaiting evacuation. Less than two minutes later, the two AH-64D Longbow Apaches called inbound and asked Williamson for direction onto targets. The highest priority for the Soldiers of 706th was the destruction of a house on the southwest side of the kill zone that was pinning them down with heavy, well-directed fire.

          The first Apache rolled in, placing multiple bursts of 30mm cannon fire on the adobe structure. “The house just exploded in a puff of dust,” recalled SSG Lemay and after that, “there was no more fire coming from that house.” With multiple gun runs, the two Longbows strafed a ravine, again quieting the fire. “Everywhere the Apaches flew, the fire stopped. If they were over an area, people had their heads down and weren’t shooting at us,” reflected the 2nd Squad Leader SSG Rowe later. The cover of the Longbows could not have come at a better time. While watching the Apaches operate, the Soldiers were filled with hope.

“When I heard the Apaches, all I could think of was ‘Thank God!’  I am going to live.”

–SSG Williamson, 706th Trans

           SSG Williamson turned to move out and had not gone more than five steps when a sharp, loud crack ripped through the air. “It sounded like fiberglass breaking,” SSG Williamson remembers, “It was a sound you never forget.” He looked over his right shoulder to see Bear Trap 36 sink in the air with debris flying off of it. The main rotor blades folded up and the tail boom crumpled. Everything was suddenly silent. The aircraft fell to the Earth and exploded. “For almost thirty seconds, there was not a sound. No one fired or moved… not us, not the Iraqis,” SSG Rowe remembered.

          As the Soldiers of 706th watched the crash unfold in disbelief, the Bradleys and HWMMVs from Sheriff unit finally arrived to secure the site and relieve the beleaguered Soldiers. The heavily armed vehicles quickly set up a perimeter around the 706th’s position and began pushing toward the crash site of Bear Trap 36. By the end of the day, all six fuel tankers had been disabled, five soldiers had been evacuated and 13 drove their vehicles back despite their wounds. It is apparent to the 706th Soldiers that the toll would have been much higher if not for the sacrifice of CW3 Chuck Fortenberry and CW2 Shane Colton.

          “Those Apaches saved our lives, no question about it,” explained SSG Lemay. The Apaches arrived at the ambush site at the most critical point of the engagement. The Soldiers of 706th were down to their last magazines; the enemy fire was increasing and becoming more and more accurate. SSG Williamson admitted,  “When I heard the Apaches, all I could think of was ‘Thank God!’  I am going to live.”

 Summary

          These vignettes demonstrate the charter, courage and dedication of our Soldiers today. This is a period in our country’s history when we are again asking all to give some, but let us never forget that… some gave all.

ABOVE  THE BEST!!! 

BG E. J. Sinclair is the commander of the U.S. Army Aviation Warfighting Center and chief of the aviation branch.