It was one of the crucial audacious missions of the battle in Afghanistan: a bunch of Royal Marines strapping themselves to the edges of two Apache gunships to recuperate the physique of one among their very own, L/Cpl Mathew Ford. The pilot of one of many plane concerned tells the outstanding story as a part of a 10-part BBC podcast sequence.
“You’ll be able to’t go right into a state of affairs pondering I may not,” says Tom O’Malley, a former Apache helicopter pilot.
“I went into that state of affairs pondering I undoubtedly will and we succeed.”
On 15 January 2007, his purpose was clear: to seek out L/Cpl Ford, from Immingham in Lincolnshire, who was lacking in motion following an assault on Jugroom Fort, a Taliban-held place in Garmsir, Helmand Province.
The commandos had been compelled to withdraw underneath heavy fireplace throughout a shock Taliban counterattack.
L/ Cpl Ford was killed in Afghanistan on 15 January 2007 [PA Media]
When the combating had stopped, Tom – circling overhead in his Apache AH Mk1 – remembers being instructed one man was unaccounted for.
Focusing on gear onboard confirmed L/Cpl Ford was nonetheless throughout the fort.
“I might establish that there was a warmth supply which gave me the idea that there was life,” remembers Tom, 58. “There is a life that may be saved.”
A plan was hatched.
Apaches are double crewed, comprising a pilot and a gunner. Crucially, there is no such thing as a area for passengers.
Nevertheless, within the occasion of an plane crashing behind enemy traces one other Apache might rescue the crew by having them join straps and ‘journey’ on the surface, close to the wings.
“If that is the approach we will use to take individuals away from a state of affairs, then we might use that very same approach to take individuals right into a state of affairs,” says Tom.
He is sitting in his South Yorkshire dwelling, however his thoughts is returning to the Apache cockpit.
“From that concept, the entire plan started to evolve.”
Three Royal Marines and a soldier from the Royal Corps of Engineers volunteered to connect themselves to the edges of two Apaches – one piloted by Tom and the opposite by Ed Macy.
It was one thing by no means tried earlier than.
However Tom insists he had “supreme confidence” within the males.
“Figuring out that everyone was succesful made the decision-making course of an entire lot simpler.
“I knew that what we had been doing, there have been risks related to it and I simply needed to bury these deep.”
Moments earlier than the 2 Apaches touched down to gather L/Cpl Ford, a bomb was dropped close by to distract any remaining Taliban.
By mud, smoke and particles from the ensuing explosion, Tom landed the £42m plane, permitting the lads to disembark.
Within the podcast, their commander, Rob Magowan, says: “I felt super stress as a result of I used to be successfully sentencing individuals to one of the crucial harmful missions that they’d ever embark upon.”
Tom says: “These males knew, as all of us knew, that we had been touchdown proper within the enemy’s backyard.”
The rescue workforce discovered L/Cpl Ford useless.
Whereas underneath relentless enemy fireplace, the lads secured the fallen commando’s physique to one of many Apaches and introduced him dwelling.
Though it was not the end result anybody had hoped for, his physique was introduced dwelling to his mom Joan Ford.
Her boy rests in peace.
“She is aware of that her boy is there,” says Tom. “Which means the world to her. She is aware of that Mathew obtained dwelling.
“He was given the honourable burial he was worthy of and his buddies, household, colleagues have a play they’ll go and pay their respects.
“That, by way of navy morale, goes to be troublesome to try to put a price on.”
Right now, the Jugroom Fort mission stays a shining instance of navy brotherhood, bravery and resolve.
“What we demonstrated to each soldier there’s that irrespective of the place you end up, in no matter situation you end up, anyone goes to get you dwelling,” says Tom.
“For each mom whose son is becoming a member of the military this week, for each mom whose son has ever served within the military, I am certain which means every little thing to them.”
A avenue in Immingham was named after the Royal Marine who was killed [BBC]
Each Tom and Ed had been awarded a Army Cross for his or her heroism that day.
Kevin Core, who produced the podcast sequence, says the recount is “like from the pages of a novel”, however provides “it really occurred”.
“I might love individuals to hearken to The Fort and are available out with an understanding of how clever it’s important to be to function within the navy at this stage.”
The Fort is offered to hearken to now on BBC Sounds.
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