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| AIR SUPPORT: Real Combat Stories; air support saving ground troops | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Fri Jan 9, 2015 10:09 pm (81 Views) | |
| Flipzi | Fri Jan 9, 2015 10:09 pm Post #1 |
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R.A.T.S.
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![]() credit to photo owners AIR SUPPORT: Real Combat Stories ATTACK HELICOPTER One of the more bizarre stories I have read about the MD-520 pilots was that of the female MD-520 pilot providing close air support to her husband's Scout Ranger team who were getting pinned down already when they assaulted a rebel force in Mindanao who were superior in number. Photo: MD-520MG "Defender" attack helicopter, with machine gun and rocket pod. (credit to photo owners) More about the MD-520MG http://w11.zetaboards.com/NDSFP/topic/9351368/ |
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Alfred Alexander L. Marasigan Manila, Philippines getflipzi@yahoo.com http://z6.invisionfree.com/flipzi " Sovereignty resides in the people and all government authority emanates from them!" " People don't care what we know until they know we care." | |
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| Flipzi | Fri Jan 9, 2015 10:13 pm Post #2 |
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R.A.T.S.
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![]() credit to photo owners A LOVE STORY IN COMBAT ( TRUE STORY ) In a certain location in Mindanao during the ALL OUT WAR a fresh PMA Graduate pretty Lady Pilot was flying a MG-520 Attack helicopter. While on the ground was our fearless Scout Rangers doing the assault and offensive against the Rebels in their massive ground attacks. The only communication the Lady Pilot got on the ground was from the unknown Scout RangerRadioman who's directing and guiding Her on Her Air Assault from above using their ground to air radio . The Scout Rangers were amazed by the support given by the Lady Pilot in targeting the enemies and helping them in their assault by Her maneuvering and Gunning Down the enemies on the ground. After finishing the Air Strike and unloading Her Missiles and Machine gun rounds. The Lady Pilot asked permission to the unknown Scout Ranger Radioman on the ground that guided Her in hitting the enemies in Her soft kind voice saying : " ALIS NA KAMI.. INGAT NALANG KAYO DYAN.. The Scout Ranger answered back: " THANK YOU MAAM..." And as the Lady Pilot was about to change Radio Frequencies the Scout Ranger could not control himself and shouted to the Radio: " I LOVE YOU MAAM! BAHALA NA! " The Lady Pilot was shocked and seconds later the Pilot answered back: " I LOVE YOU TOO! " Sadly it was monitored by a Scout Ranger officer at the other line of the Radio on the ground and shouted: " SINO YAN?MAGPAKILALA KA! " And that was the end of the the sweetest conversation ever recorded in the AFP History during a Combat Mission and until now it is still a Mystery in the AFP if who was that Lady Pilot and that Scout Ranger who talked that night !!! Story: courtesy to Major Ruben Guinolbay, FSRR Thanks to Scout Rangers Lairs for sharing the story https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=700440233402561&set=gm.936760406343494&type=1 Edited by Flipzi, Fri Jan 9, 2015 10:23 pm.
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Alfred Alexander L. Marasigan Manila, Philippines getflipzi@yahoo.com http://z6.invisionfree.com/flipzi " Sovereignty resides in the people and all government authority emanates from them!" " People don't care what we know until they know we care." | |
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| Flipzi | Fri Jan 9, 2015 10:18 pm Post #3 |
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R.A.T.S.
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![]() One of the lady pilots of the 15th Strike Wing flying the MD-520. She is shown here with her Crew Chief, who leads the technical team maintaining the aircraft. photo credit: Eman |
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Alfred Alexander L. Marasigan Manila, Philippines getflipzi@yahoo.com http://z6.invisionfree.com/flipzi " Sovereignty resides in the people and all government authority emanates from them!" " People don't care what we know until they know we care." | |
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| Flipzi | Fri Jan 9, 2015 10:22 pm Post #4 |
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R.A.T.S.
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![]() Photo: One of the lady pilots of the 15th Strike Wing flying the MD-520. She is shown here with her Crew Chief, who leads the technical team maintaining the aircraft. (credit to Eman / MOA exhibit) 2 HOURS OF HELL (REAL COMBAT STORY) Lt. Dante Espiritu of 10th Scout Ranger Company, 1st Scout Ranger Battalion, led a recon platoon to track the Abu Sayaff bandits in Bud Bunga in Patikul, Sulu in November 14, 2014. One bandit who was seemingly about to heed the call of nature walked towards their position. They found themselves engaging the enemy too soon instead of waiting for the team of Lt. Michael Aristores, the company commander himself, to merge before attacking the enemy who were positioned 15 meters away from them. The enemy lost a number of its men during the first salvo but their superior number began to take its toll on the outnumbered Scout Rangers. Lt. Espiritu dodged bullets while transferring from one position to another to check on his subordinates. He found out that some of them were severely wounded while the others sustained multiple shrapnel wounds. At about 4:00 pm, they heard the attack helicopters hovering above them. "The sight of the choppers boosted our morale. They were heaven sent to us." He gave the enemy's grid locations to the choppers. It looked liked an angry dragon as it blasted the enemy positions with Cal. 50 machine gun rounds and rockets. Gradually, the enemies stopped their advance. He directed a team to provide suppressive fires while the others slowly occupied an advantageous ground. They executed the "break contact" SOP. They then regrouped with Lt. Aristores' team. They lost 5 souls that day and 28 were wounded including Lt. Aristores. He assisted Lt. Col. Eugene Boquio in preparing the helicopter landing zone (HLZ) where all casualties will be picked up. At around 10:00 pm, all wounded men were safely picked up by the Philippine Air Force pilots who dared to fly at night to 'MEDEVAC' the injured soldiers. The brave flyboys also airlifted the human remains of 5 soldiers who died fighting heroically that day. Thanks to the Huey pilots who braved the night flight to save the wounded. The Joint Task Group Sulu led by Col. Alan Arrojado accounted 10 bandits dead including 2 notorious leaders like Hairullah Asbang and Juli Ekit. At least 15 others were wounded. The Abu Sayyaf suffered big losses for the first time in at least 2 years of successfully evading the security forces. Story: courtesy to Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc, PAO-AFP Thanks to SCOUT RANGERS LAIR for sharing the story https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=700440233402561&set=gm.936760406343494&type=1 Photo: One of the lady pilots of the 15th Strike Wing flying the MD-520. She is shown here with her Crew Chief, who leads the technical team maintaining the aircraft. (credit to Eman / MOA exhibit) Thanks to SCOUT RANGERS LAIR for sharing the story https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=700440233402561&set=gm.936760406343494&type=1 Edited by Flipzi, Fri Jan 9, 2015 10:46 pm.
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Alfred Alexander L. Marasigan Manila, Philippines getflipzi@yahoo.com http://z6.invisionfree.com/flipzi " Sovereignty resides in the people and all government authority emanates from them!" " People don't care what we know until they know we care." | |
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| Flipzi | Thu Feb 5, 2015 1:25 am Post #5 |
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R.A.T.S.
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THE MG520 DEFENDER's FLEXIBILITY In 1990-91 during the many counter-insurgency operations one major mission happened at Kalinga Apayao in a town near Cato.Where an army platoon led by then LT IMBANG of Philippine Military Academy/PMA Class of 1988 unexpectedly encountered more than 100 Communist Insurgents. Caught off-guard by heavy rebel fire positioned on high-ground or along the hills, the army troops retreated from the area. At this point LT IMBANG requested close-air-support (CAS) from an element of MD-520MG Attack Helicopters led by the element leader then LT KEN ALVARADO PAFFS CL'89... The rebels were bombarded by rockets as 1LT IMBANG's retreat back and help the wounded. After the first pass LT IMBANG PMA CL'88 requested LT KEN ALVARADO PAFFS CL'89, element if they can pick up their wounded for them to better manuever away from the rebel killing zone... LT KEN ALVARADO remembered, "Hindi daw sila maka galaw dahil ayaw nila pabayaan ang wounded nila" ... PAF UH-1H Hueys were not available at that time, after consulting with his wingman then CPT JOEY MIRANDILLA PMA CL'84 and LT KEN ALVARADO PAFFS CL'89 decided to go in and pick up the wounded. CPT MIRANDILLA PMA CL'84 provided aircover for the element lead as they try to extricate the wounded... A quick deceleration low level approach the atack helicopter was able to land just around 25 meters from the troops... As soon as the chopper landed the Army troops, because of heavy rebel fire carried the wounded by crawling under the belly of the aircraft... LT KEN ALVARADO called on LT IMBANG to provide covering from fire from his troops while the EVAC was being done... LT IMBANG then ordered his men to get on their feet and fire their weapons to provide cover... Once the wounded was on board the MD-520MG hurriedly took off while firing our 50 caliber machinegun... Sgt Gaza the chopper's crewchief heard a loud bang at the tail rotor just before they took off... But all engine parameters were found to be on normal reading and LT ALVARADO decided to continue to fly back to Tuguegarao... Though the Army unit was able to escaped destruction, unfortunately the wounded trooper died during the 15 minute flight back to Base... After landing the aircrew found out their chopper sustained a bullet hole in the vertical stabilizer... FROM THE STORY OF A PAF VETERAN By Acer Francis Neri PAFFS CL-95 REFERENCE: PAF RECORDS (On the photo are pioneer pilots from the 18th Tactical assault squadron "FALCONS" of the 15th Strike Wing, from left Then LT. Cruz PMA CL'88, The late Maj. Bernie Bautista PAFROP TAPS +, PAFAces Ken Alvarado PAFFS CL'89, PAFAces Mark Flores PAFFS CL '90) Source: PINOY AVIATORS STORY: https://www.facebook.com/PilonoyAviators022513/photos/a.542142562486654.130905.539201296114114/891744064193167/?type=1 |
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Alfred Alexander L. Marasigan Manila, Philippines getflipzi@yahoo.com http://z6.invisionfree.com/flipzi " Sovereignty resides in the people and all government authority emanates from them!" " People don't care what we know until they know we care." | |
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| Flipzi | Thu Feb 5, 2015 1:27 am Post #6 |
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R.A.T.S.
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THE MG's TO THE RESCUE "Yung bakal hindi na puwede dahil sa putik, yung mga chopper gano'n rin dahil umuulan, magho-hold nalang kami hangang dilim para maka-extricate pero paubos narin ang bala namin. Hindi namin akalain na makakarating ang mga MG, nabuhayan kami at alam naming malilintikan na ang mga kalaban", LTC VILLARUEL D DOTE PA It was a dull Sunday morning. I just consoled myself that the raindrops were showers of blessings and a bright rainbow was about to appear. Seated at the front of the jeep, i was contently looking at the skyline when the engine cranked to start from Kattabogan, we were to attend mass at Piat and coordinate the up-coming SOT activity with the 501st Bde Hqs. Earlier, i had my man at Calabagan to conduct a route security patrol. Ten men in olive-drabs and armed to the teeth packed the two Kennedy jeeps. With eyes rolling about and fingers itching near the triggers. my group sped through the zigzag dirt road in silence from time to time, the sounds of rain and roar of the engines, would attract our attention. And when the jeep started to cracking and the roar turned into thuds, we burst into laughter while fearing the long push up the town. But it did not happen and the convoy went on braving the thousand potholes. Soon, more and more splattered on our windshield, and as we took the curve, there were no windshield to talk about. AMBUSH LEFT!!! A shower of bullets from the hills on the left peppered the convoy taking the windshield down and two of my men. Instinctively, the driver steered to the nearest mound and screeched to stop on the left side of the road. Explosions and rattles of guns filled the air. The NPA's were shooting and some of my men were answering with swears and groans of pain. I found myself with two soldiers seeking cover on a boulder in the middle of a creek. As bullets whizzed by our heads and ricochet-ted off the stone, our legs played "Tinikliing" to the tune of rapid fire sounding like bamboo poles hitting the ground. I glanced at the second jeep and saw a hanging motionless body of an officer. I was fuming mad at the sight. About ten meters from the second jeep, Teoti and Elmo were grimacing in pain but firing back at the NPAs. As minutes passed by, the silhouettes at the skyline became clearer. The enemies faces were marked with eagerness to wipe us out and search our positions for arms and ammunition. But, we were able to hold. Minutes later a 30 caliber machine gun was heard firing. AS the rickety noise of an AIFV became clearer, we felt relieved. Unknown to us, the route security encountered a group of NPAs about to waylay our convoy, and two troopers were killed and one was wounded. The Battalion Tactical Command Post dispatched the AIFV as reinforcement which managed to break through the enemy blocking force after a heavy exchange of fire. AS the AIFV inched its way towards our position, we shouted in glee even as the CTc poured more lead on us. The AIFV was just a few meters from us and we knew that our predicament was almost over. Then a thunderous blast and flashes dosed our hopes. The AIFV was lifted from its tracks by a landmine, bored a gaping hole on its belly and rendered position. The machine gun of the AIFV however prevented the CTs from advancing. A V-150 which was on its way could not negotiate the slippery road. with the rains that never stopped i knew that no air support could come. I instructed the men to hold ground until the night sets in. But it was only 11:40 in the morning. Then a faint buzzing sound was heard. The faint sound became louder and out of the clouds two MD-500 MG gunships aka MG-520 Defender appeared. "BLUEBIRD, FALCON. BLUEBIRD, FALCON", The voice cracked on the radio. "FALCON, THIS IS BLUEBIRD. we are at your two o'clock nandito kami sa my jeep ando..." The voice cut in however. "ROGER, WE HAVE YOU ON SIGHT, SAAN ANG KALABAN?". I described the enemies position and within seconds the lead chopper dived with the wing man close by a trail of gray smoke marked its wake. Everyone took cover and as my face hit the dirt. I could only remember the ferocity of the rockets as it hits the grounds. The earth shook and the sound was deafening. Now, the troops were cheering while the CYs were wailing. The second chopper also took a dive. It's 50 caliber machine gun came rattling. "SIR MALAPIT SA ATIN" shouted my buddy. There was no reason to worry however, the flyboys knows what and where to hit. By now the NPAs were directing their fire at the gunships. I called on falcon flight and warned them. Soon, they were coming from all directions. The MGs dived through clouds and rains they unloaded everything they had while the CTs retreated dragging their casualties. The falcons left but was back in no time. Again i called on the radio, "FALCON, BUHUSAN NIYO PA SILA, NANDIYAN PA SILA SA MY TAAS". The falcons flew just a few hundred feet and strafed the hill above us. The CTs were shouting as they scampered away and the first smiles were plastered on our faces. Again, the falcons left, but this time a little bit longer. When the choppers re-appeared, they were four in formation, two small and two large ones. The familiar "FALCON, COMING IN HOT" cracked on the radio. t was show time once again for the MGs as their reliable partners the UH-1H HUEYs, landed at our position and evacuated the casualties. I found myself at the Battalion TCP directing the pursuit operations. As my troops fanned out seeking the rebels, reports started trickling in. A team reported civilian accounts of NPA casualties, others found hastily-covered bodies, still others recovered various enemy paraphernalia's. We had accounted for nine CTs KIA, twenty WIA, several others more KIA or WIA, and had recovered one landmine and one hand grenade. That fateful day of January 19, 1992 would always be etched in my memory. That was indeed a close call for me and had it not been for the falcons, my group is extinct by now. LTC VILLARUEL D DOTE PA From the 15th SW Anniversary Magazine Source: Pinoy Aviators https://www.facebook.com/PilonoyAviators022513/photos/a.542142562486654.130905.539201296114114/891792887521618/?type=1&theater |
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Alfred Alexander L. Marasigan Manila, Philippines getflipzi@yahoo.com http://z6.invisionfree.com/flipzi " Sovereignty resides in the people and all government authority emanates from them!" " People don't care what we know until they know we care." | |
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8:25 AM Jul 11