This is how Royal Marines used Apaches as troop transports during a rescue mission

Updated onFeb 16, 2023 9:39 AM PST

1 minute read

SUMMARY

[brid video=”115340″ player=”7965″ title=”Mighty Minute Royal Marines”]In January 2007, a group of Royal Marines devised a risky and unorthodox mission to rescue one of their own who was trapped inside an enemy compound. To get him back, four …

In January 2007, a group of Royal Marin es devised a risky and unorthodox mission to rescue one of their own who was trapped inside an enemy compound. To get him back, four Marines strapped themselves to the outside of Apache helicopters and rode into harm's way.

It happened after an attack on Jugroom Fort went sour quickly. The Brits assaulted in armored vehicles with artillery and Apache support, and the insurgents returned heavy fire . Poor communication during the raid led to a friendly fire incident and another miscommunication led to the Marines withdrawing without Lance Cpl. Mathew Ford.

A British AH1- Apache helicopter conducts operations in Helmand province, Oct. 12. The Apache can operate in most weather conditions, day and night and can detect, classify and prioritize up to 256 targets in a matter of seconds. It can carry a mix of weapons, from missiles to a 30 mm cannon.

After rallying back up, the Marines quickly realized Ford was missing, and one of the two Apaches on the battlefield used an infrared sensor to spot what appeared to be a human silhouette just inside the compound. The Royal Marines quickly devised a plan to strap two Marines each to two Apaches and have them land just outside the compound.