June 07, 2004

Another Day in the Stan

The CH47D Chinook helicopter is a big, ugly, beautiful tandem-rotor aircraft that is undoubtedly the workhorse here in Afghanistan. Almost daily we get more mission requests than we have aircraft and crews available. With the rugged terrain of this place the way it is, a Chinook is sometimes the only way to get where you want to go. We don't complain because we came here to fly, and that is precisely what we're doing.

Not too long ago we had a mission to fly supplies out to some of the forward operating bases (FOB), a somewhat routine mission for us. Early in the morning, the crew loaded a bunch of equipment, along with several passengers who needed to get to one of the FOBs for a missoin of their own, and took off. Most people nod right off several minutes into the flight from the rhythmic vibrations caused by the five large transmissions as they turn keeping the aircraft flying smoothly. Crewdogs often joke about the "sleep switch" hidden in the seats that put passengers to sleep just minutes after take-off. This particular mission seemed to be no different.

Joe had been a crewchief for just under six months and though he didn't come to Afghanistan with a lot of experience, he certainly brought with him a lot of drive. As the Chinook departed the airfield, Joe took his cue from the flight engineer and began his "in-flight" checks of the cabin to make sure all was secure for the mission. He noticed several of the passengers had fallen asleep, "typical" he thought, and went about his checks. Something didn't seem right to Joe though and after pausing for a moment, called the more experienced flight engineer asking for advice.

One of the passengers was laying across the lap of another sleeping Soldier and was very much asleep himself. So much so that Joe was alarmed that perhaps the guy was not asleep, but something worse. His flight engineer suggested that he attempt to wake him up. So Joe tried several times to wake the guy and really started to get scared when he got no response. Looking closer, the young man's face seemed ashen and clammy so Joe reported to the flight engineer that something was "seriously wrong here."

Fortunately, one of the other passengers on board was a doctor and Joe remembered talking with him prior to the flight. He quickly found the doc, woke him up, and yelling over the whining of the transmissions, explained the situation. The doctor unbuckled his seat belt and moved forward in the cabin to check on the young "sleeping" Soldier.

He wasn't breathing. As the doc went to work on restoring air to the young man's lungs, the pilots nosed her over increasing the airspeed to 170 knots for the nearest FOB. A radio call was then made ahead requesting an ambulance meet the aircraft on the landing pad while Joe and the doc struggled with the now breathing Soldier who was having a seizure.

An ambulance met the Chinook as it landed, taking the patient immediately from the aircraft to the nearest medical facility which undoubtedly was nothing more than a tent with a large red cross painted atop it. We later learned that the Soldier was OK, and that he had been given 5-liters of fluid for dehydration. Joe and the rest of the crew completed their mission without any further excitement. Just another day in the Stan. Sgt Hook out.

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June 06, 2004

The Gipper

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Ronald Wilson Reagan died last night at the age of 93. He was a wonderful president and a great man. Ronald Reagan was a true patriot who embodied the spirit of America. I am honored to have served under his leadership as the Commander in Chief of our armed forces, and to have been able to call him "my president" oh so many years ago. His vision and leadership has changed the world and for the better. He is a hero and will be remembered as one of history's greats. Rest In Peace Gipper. Sgt Hook out.

UPDATE: Insults Unpunished has some great stuff up regarding Reagan's passing.

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Insults Unpunished linked with A Look Back At Reagan

The Skies of Normandy

Today marks the 60th Anniversary of the Allied invasion of Normandy, aka: D-Day. If you haven’t already, head on over to Blackfive’s place for a collection of absolutely fantastic tributes to the men and women who bravely made the assault to liberate France and ultimately defeat the Nazi Germans. You can read my post on the Coast Guard’s invaluable contribution to Operation Neptune here.

I can’t begin to explain how honored I am to wear the uniform (well, with some changes of course) of those who served so valiantly 60 years ago as they pressed on in battle, storming the beaches in spite of enemy machine gun fire and a hail of deadly mortar rounds as they dropped right in front of their young, wide eyes. They fought to liberate a people they did not know, with the memory of Pearl Harbor some two and a half years distant, and though weary and scared, they kept faith in that their fight was a just one. Heroes all.

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General Dwight D. Eisenhower once said, “Four things won the Allied victory, the Jeep, the bazooka, the atomic bomb, and the Douglas C-47.” Though I’d agree with his assessment of the value of these great inventions in military hardware and weaponry, I’d argue that it was the heart and soul of the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coastguardsmen that won the war. There are few things in life more remarkable than the grit of an American Soldier. What follows is an excerpt from an interview with one such Soldier (Airman) who bravely flew C-47s on D-Day, Lieutenant Russell Chandler Jr., recently published in Aviation History magazine.

Avn History: Tell us about D-Day.
Lt. Chandler: For us, it started the night before. To make our drop scheduled for 1 a.m., we were wheels up about 10:30 p.m., and it took about 1½ hours to form up and about an hour to the drop zone to avoid radar. We crossed the Channel at about 500 feet and climbed to 1,500 feet as we hit the Channel Islands to avoid the AA. I dropped 27 paratroopers of the 82nd Airborne into the area just south of Ste. Mère-Eglise. We returned the next morning to drop supplies and equipment, and that evening we towed in gliders.

Avn History: Explain what those formations looked like.
Lt. Chandler: I can still picture it. For the 82nd Airborne, there were over 430 aircraft in a very tight formation, wingtip to wingtip for miles on end. Overall, there were 2,000 C-47s used on D-Day. I think the recent HBO movie Band of Brothers portrayed it fairly accurately.

Avn History: Including aircraft being blasted out of the sky?
Lt. Chandler: Unfortunately, yes. Flak was often heavy, and it was sickening to watch our wingman take a hit, nose over and head down. There was no s kill in avoiding being hit. You stayed in formation and prayed it wouldn’t be you. Of my group of 27, I think we lost seven that first day. Those of us who survived knew it was the hand of God that had delivered us home.

Avn History: Tell us about the flak.
Lt. Chandler: I guess our “great surprise” didn’t last for long. It would be hard not to notice 2,000 aircraft at 1,500 feet. Once we crossed the coast, the Germans started throwing everything they could at us. I doubt if there were any Dakotas [C-47s] that weren’t hit somewhere. It was a frightening fireworks display, but the noise of some ordnance penetrating your aircraft was a bit unnerving.

Avn History: Any anecdotes from the first drop?
Lt. Chandler: I remember one paratrooper, a sergeant, who had taken some shrapnel in the leg. B rights, he should have stayed on board and flown back with us. Instead, he told my crew chief, “I’m jumping, it’s too dangerous in this thing!” And he did. I guess we all have our own perspective of where the danger lies, and I suppose he did get medical attention as soon as he hit the ground, instead of waiting two hours to go back to England with us.

I could sit and listen to stories like these for hours as told by the men and women who lived them. Man they had balls. You can read more of Lt. Chandler’s interview, and other great stories, at The History Net. There is something very special about the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave and on this day, the 60th Anniversary of D-Day, I thank all of those who didn't quit and kept on fighting so that I could one day publish a blog, lay on the beach, raise a family, and have the honor of serving as well. Thank you. Sgt Hook out.

Posted by Hook at 0346 Zulu | Send It (1) | Track It (2)
Insults Unpunished linked with D-Day Remembered
Smoke on the Water linked with June 6, 1944

June 05, 2004

On the Homefront

News of my swashbuckling band of pirates has brightened my day...

On Monday last (Memorial Day) Renegade Ryan and Typhoon Tyler of Trieste went down to the military cemetery on Schofield Barracks and helped place flags on each gravesite. I'm awful proud of that.

Andrew the Adventurous was chosen to have lunch with the principal as a reward for having been a "good citizen" this past school year. Immediately upon hearing this news, I sent the little corsair an e-card sending my congratulations on such a fine achievement. Later on the phone, I heard him in the background say, "Mom, I love dad, you know why? Because he sent me this card with all the smile faces and you know why else? Because he's defending our freedom." I'm awful proud of that.

And the prince of the pirates, Castaway Conner (who has recently laid claim to my side of the bed), when asked if he wanted to go to day care replied, "no mom, I stay with you tonight, tomorrow I go day care." I'm awful proud of that too.

I know that my short phone calls home don't capture all the madness that exists on our ship, but I find that I miss even the craziest of moments. I'm not sure how the lovely and talented and downright sexy Mrs. Hook is managing, but she is and I'm awful proud of that. Thanks baby, I love you. Sgt Hook out.

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June 04, 2004

Milblogs' Tribute to D-Day 60th Anniversary

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What better tribute than to round up some of the best writers in the blogosphere and have them each post an entry honoring those who fought valiantly during the Normandy landing? Thanks to Blackfive for coming up with this fabulous idea. You can read my entry below this one, and you can find links to the rest of the fine postings here. Go read them now. That IS an order Soldiers. Sgt Hook out.

Posted by Hook at 1111 Zulu | Send It (1) | Track It (0)

June 03, 2004

A mud puddle in a hailstorm

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D-Day, June 6, 1944, Operation Neptune was the amphibious portion of the invasion of Normandy. Airmen flew heavy bombers in an effort to soften up the German defenses, while C-47s dropped airborne Soldiers behind the lines. Sailors manned the transport ships carrying aboard the invasion force of Soldiers and equipment while battleships blasted the shore, again to soften the beachhead. And then there were the Coasties. The men of the United States Coast Guard, who tirelessly operated the landing craft bringing the Soldiers from the 1st Infantry Division to the French beaches at Omaha, have often been overlooked for their invaluable contribution on this fateful day.

The beaches at Omaha were naturally ideal for a defense and Rommel wasn’t falling for the allied feint on Calais. The Germans built 8 large concrete bunkers and 35 smaller pillboxes on top of the rocky cliffs and sandy bluffs of Omaha. Some 85 machine gun nests were dug putting the entire beach in a crossfire.

The order came in the early hours of June 6th to disembark the men of the Big Red One from the Samuel Chase. They methodically climbed aboard the LCVPs and set sail towards the beachhead rolling with the severe swells and strong currents of the English channel. Ernest Hemingway who himself had made the trek in an LCVP later wrote of the men, “Under their steel helmets they looked like the pikemen of the Middle Ages to whose aid in battle had suddenly come some strange and unbelievable monster.”

Many of those “unbelievable monsters” were deftly piloted by Coast Guard coxswains as the first wave formed up and made for France. When they came within 500 yards of the beach, the Germans opened fire with machine guns, mortars, and heavy artillery. One coxswain said, “We knew we were going to catch hell when we saw machine gun fire spraying the water before us.” Bullets struck the metallic hulls as they raced for the shore hoping to miss any mines lying beneath the choppy surface.

The bows of the LCVPs were actually doors that dropped as soon as the vessel touched bottom, hitting sandbars a good distance from the beach. The Soldiers ran off into 3-feet deep water and had to wade their way to shore amidst heavy machine gun fire. Many were cut down by the deadly aim of the Germans and still more drowned under the weight of their bulky equipment. Another Coast Guardsman said, “You have no idea how miserable the Germans made that beach. From a half mile offshore we could see rows upon rows of jagged obstructions lining the beach.” He went on, “When our ramp went down and the soldiers started to charge ashore, the Germans let loose with streams of hot lead which pinged all around us. Why they didn’t kill everyone in our boat, I will never know.”

A Coast Guard coxswain on an LCVP later remarked, “My eyes were glued to the boat coming in next to ours, and on the water in between, boiling with bullets from hidden shore emplacements, like a mud puddle in a hailstorm. It seemed impossible that we could make it in without being riddled.”

Smaller landing craft known as LCIs were also skippered by Coasties and faired little better against the heavy German onslaught. One LCI commanding officer said, “The 88s began hitting the ship, they tore into the compartments and exploded on the exposed deck. Machine guns opened up, men were hit and men were mutilated. There was no such thing as a minor wound.” In a little over 5-hours, 15 assault waves had been launched from the Samuel Chase and the Big Red One Division had been delivered to Omaha Beach.

Eighteen Coast Guardsmen paid the ultimate price on June 6,1944 as they bravely delivered the men and equipment of Eisenhower’s invasion force, while another 38 were seriously wounded.

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Three Coasties received the Silver Star for their actions on D-Day…

Gene E. Oxley
Seaman 1/c Gene E. Oxley was awarded the Silver Star for his actions on D-Day at Normandy on 6 June 1944. His citation reads: "For gallantry while on the USS LCI(L)-85 during the assault on the coast of France June 6, 1944, and for extraordinary courage in volunteering and twice taking a line ashore, in the face of heavy machine gun and shell fire, in order to assist troops unloading from the ship to the beach through chest deep water."

Arend Vyn, Jr.
Lieutenant junior grade Arend Vyn was awarded the Silver Star: "For gallantry in action as Commanding Officer of USS LCI-91 in the assault on the coast of France June 6 1944. Lt (jg) Vyn beached his ship and discharged the Army elements therein in the face of murderous fire and a labyrinth of obstacles and mines. In spite of the fact that his ship was mined and repeatedly struck by artillery fire and small-arms fire, he continued to land the army load in the face of certain loss of his ship. His determination to put the Army ashore was in keeping with the highest traditions of the offensive spirit of the United States Naval Service."

Robert G. Ward
Seaman 1/c Robert G. Ward was awarded the Silver Star: "For conspicuous gallantry in action during the landing operations against the enemy on Cotentin Peninsula, France, June 6, 1944. While acting as coxswain of a landing craft in the first wave, Ward successfully landed his troop personnel despite enemy opposition. Upon retracting from the beach he observed the stranded crews from two other landing craft whose boats had been destroyed by enemy mortar fire. Ward returned to the beach, took off both crews despite continued shelling, and returned safely with them to his ship."
Semper Paratus. Sgt Hook out.

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BLACKFIVE linked with The Sixtieth Anniversary of D-Day
Obscurorant linked with Semper Paratus

June 02, 2004

Lost?

Welcome to Sgt Hook’s editorial blog. At least it seems to be evolving into such. From time to time things pop up on the radar screen that get my Scottish blood pumping and thanks to Greyhawk (who publishes one of my favorite blogs), this is another one of those times.

There is an interesting article up at the Chicago Sun-Times written by Mr. Novak, the subject of which is the U.S. involvement in Afghanistan. Mr. Novak paints a pretty bleak picture of things over here that I presume he bases on information gathered from “a handful of valiant American warriors.” I won’t attempt to talk about that of which I do not know for as a “conventional” Soldier of the 25th Infantry Division I’m probably not intimately familiar with some of the frustrations my SOF brothers might be experiencing. I do, however, know quite a few special ops guys, in fact we work together often and from what I see, these warriors are good, damned good. And to a man, it is crystal clear that they are dedicated to accomplishing their mission and winning the war on terror.

The war on terror as fought here in Afghanistan is in a different phase from when U.S. and Coalition forces first arrived to fight Al Qaeda and remove the Taliban from power two years ago. I believe that Mr. Novak is correct in his assessment that if the U.S. were to pull out of Afghanistan now, “the Taliban -- or something like it -- would regain power,” and thereby increase the threat to America’s safety.

There are four major ethnic groups and several minor ones spread throughout Afghanistan, each with their own center of power, led by warlords, many of whom are not yet convinced of the benefits of a unified Afghanistan and remain reluctant to give up sovereignty. This country in which none of its people, not a one, have ever lived in an era of peace is understandably slow to understand the idea of democracy. So no, bringing stability to this place is no simple task and will not happen overnight. It will take a solid commitment of “straight legged” conventional forces on station, staying the course and developing the trust of the people so that they will see the benefits of a representative democracy.

Unfortunately, Mr. Novak is of the opinion that we are “ill-prepared” for such a task. He is concerned, I presume, that because we, the 25th Infantry Division, were plucked from the beaches of Hawaii, mai tais still in our hands and surf boards under our arms, and thrust into these badlands halfway around the world, that we are nothing more than“lost in Afghanistan” running around in our Hawaiian shirts and flip flops. I assure you Mr. Novak, the 25th Infantry Division has done a little more preparation than just waxing our boards.

We’ve spent the better part of a year preparing to deploy to this theater and have trained hard, damned hard to prepare for it. Don’t misunderstand me, we didn’t arrive here as a round peg ready to be placed in a round hole, there was a lot, and still is, that we’re learning, adapting, and developing as the mission progresses. That is a large part of what our training does for us Mr. Novak, it prepares us to hit the ground, assess the situation, develop a plan, and execute the mission. Of course you probably weren’t aware of that, not many people are.

I understand your concern that this division “has not seen combat since the Vietnam War” Mr. Novak. Actually, I don’t understand your concern. You see, this is an absurd assertion on your part and is the point of your article that really ticks me off sir. The 25th Infantry Division is composed of leaders and Soldiers of the highest caliber, many of whom have combat experience in Vietnam, Panama, Iraq, Somalia, the Balkans, Iraq again, and Afghanistan. Most of us have served previously in the 101st, 82nd, 10th, 4th and 3rd Divisions during our careers. Our division commander, a general in whom I have the utmost confidence, has over 30 years of service and is bar none the finest commander I’ve ever served under. I resent your implication sir that the 25th is anything but a top-notch division comprised of Soldiers who possess and demonstrate the warrior spirit in all they do.

Every man and woman in this outfit from the two stars down to the single stripe knows what is at stake here Mr. Novak. And yes it can be frustrating at times, and yes our labors often seem fruitless, but we’ll be damned if another attack on U.S. soil will come as a result of our failure to stay the course, and I’ll be damned if I’ll let anyone speak ill of the 25th Infantry Division. Tropic Lightning! Sgt Hook out.

Posted by Hook at 0003 Zulu | Send It (26) | Track It (13)
Random Nuclear Strikes linked with Sergeant Hook
Baseball Crank linked with WAR: Hook Will Bring You Back
Various Orthodoxies linked with Hooo-Ah!
A Small Victory linked with blogs: they're what's for dinner
Parkway Rest Stop linked with Hook v. Novak.
A Collection of Thoughts linked with More Journalism BS
Dean's World linked with Fighters In Afghan Mad At Novak
Grim's Hall linked with Hook
bloodletting.blog-city.com linked with I lied.
The Laughing Wolf linked with Novak Gets Handed His Rear, By Hook
BLACKFIVE linked with Novak Gets Hooked
Horologium linked with Idiocy—It's not just for leftists anymore
Mudville Gazette linked with Yikes!

June 01, 2004

Not Even Close Mr. Rivers

I received this email message from Mr. Rivers earlier today as a reply to one I had sent to him asking for an apology.

Hook,

Thanks for the message. Up to now, I've tried to respond to every message I receive, but with hundreds of e-mails flooding in each day, I simply can't keep pace.

Although I don't have time to respond specifically, please know that I have read
your message, and I do appreciate your taking the time.

Best regards,
Reggie

Well, not quite the apology I was looking for. I say again Mr. Rivers, I expect an apology from you to all the men and women who have served and are currently serving in our nation's armed forces. Please know that I have read your message, and I do appreciate you taking the time. Sgt Hook out.

Posted by Hook at 1718 Zulu | Send It (11) | Track It (1)
The Laughing Wolf linked with Remembering Those Who Dishonor The Day

May 31, 2004

TAPS

As we light the charcoal, mix the drinks, and turn up the music this weekend celebrating Memorial Day, let us not forget the blood spilled by so many brave Americans so that we may enjoy our way of life. I propose a toast on this somber and joyous day, not to cause feelings of guilt, but to revel in the fact that we can indeed grill steaks, sip margaritas, and go to a concert because of the sacrifices made by our Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen, and Coast Guardsmen over the years. Less than 1% of the population of the United States of America will ever wear the uniform of our armed forces, and all are ready to defend our freedoms with their lives like so many have done before them.

In the list below are the names of the sons, daughters, fathers, mothers, sisters, and brothers of those who have paid the ultimate price in the Global War on Terror. Two of those names are close personal friends of mine with whom I've shared more than a few Memorial Day weekends and I am confident that they'd want us manning our grills and throwing back a few cold ones in their honor today. So yeah, let's take a moment or two and honor their memory for what they've given us. This We'll Defend.

Listen to TAPS on the Bugle.

The Rest of It... »
Posted by Hook at 2359 Zulu | Send It (15) | Track It (20)
CAPblog linked with Memorial Day
Everyday Thoughts Collected linked with Memorial Day 2004
Bonfire linked with The Last Full Measure of Devotion
The Gantry Launchpad linked with Memorial Day
Welcome to Castle Argghhh! The Home Of One Of Jonah's Military Guys. linked with Memorial Day 2004
Welcome to Castle Argghhh! The Home Of One Of Jonah's Military Guys. linked with Memorial Day 2004
Welcome to Castle Argghhh! The Home Of One Of Jonah's Military Guys. linked with Memorial Day 2004
Backcountry Conservative linked with Memorial Day in the Blogosphere
Backcountry Conservative linked with Memorial Day in the Blogosphere
Wizbang linked with The Ultimate Sacrifice
Backcountry Conservative linked with Memorial Day in the Blogosphere
Technicalities linked with Memorial Day
PoliBlog linked with Memorial Day
Wasted Days, Wasted Nites linked with Memorial Day
The Laughing Wolf linked with So Many Good Memorial Day Posts
Sgt Hook
About Hook
Email: hook[at]sgthook[dot]com

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Obligatory Disclaimer
This site is a collection of my writings, thoughts, and ramblings and in no way reflects the official positions of the United States Army or the Department of Defense. There's more...any messages sent to Sgt Hook become the property of management and consent to post said messages is implied. If you do NOT wish to have your message posted, write "CONFIDENTIAL" in the subject line of your email. All sales are final. Have a nice day.

Original Content © 2004 by Sgt Hook. Violators Will Face a Firing Squad.

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Another Day in the Stan
The Gipper
The Skies of Normandy
On the Homefront
Milblogs' Tribute to D-Day 60th Anniversary
A mud puddle in a hailstorm
Lost?
Not Even Close Mr. Rivers
TAPS
Excuse Me?

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