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Author Topic: British helicopter pilot shot between the eyes but keeps flying to save 20 soldi  (Read 2819 times)

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Offline thundley4

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British helicopter pilot shot between the eyes but keeps flying to save 20 soldi
« on: March 05, 2010, 02:49:30 PM »
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A BRITISH Chinook helicopter pilot was shot between the eyes by a Taliban bullet - but flew on and saved all 20 aboard, The Sun reported.

The Sun reports that Flight Lieutenant Ian Fortune, 28, had flown in to pick up casualties as a firefight raged between American and Afghan forces and heavily-armed rebels near Garmsir in Helmand Province.

Flt-Lt Fortune - who had TV presenter Mike Brewer on the aircraft filming a documentary - was advised to hold off on approach to the battle as it was "too hot" on the ground. He circled until troops reported incoming fire had calmed down.

But as he flew in the helicopter came under attack - which continued as casualties were being loaded.

Then, as he lifted off, Flt-Lt Fortune was shot. A bullet hit a metal rail on the front of his helmet which is used to attach night vision goggles.The round then penetrated his helmet hitting him between the eyes. It knocked his head back and caused severe bleeding.

*snip*

"If the bullet had hit the pilot a millimetre lower, those on board wouldn't have stood a chance.
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Offline Chris

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Re: British helicopter pilot shot between the eyes but keeps flying to save 20 soldi
« Reply #1 on: March 05, 2010, 03:03:26 PM »
Very cool story.

Mike Brewer, huh?  Glad he's okay.
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Offline thundley4

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Re: British helicopter pilot shot between the eyes but keeps flying to save 20 soldi
« Reply #2 on: March 05, 2010, 03:04:50 PM »
Quote from: Chris on March 05, 2010, 03:03:26 PM
Very cool story.

Mike Brewer, huh?  Glad he's okay.

I wonder if the footage will make it on one of the shows.
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Offline JohnnyReb

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Re: British helicopter pilot shot between the eyes but keeps flying to save 20 soldi
« Reply #3 on: March 05, 2010, 03:20:41 PM »
I'd call that keeping a stiff upper lip.....good job Flt Lt Fortune.
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Offline The Village Idiot

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Re: British helicopter pilot shot between the eyes but keeps flying to save 20 soldi
« Reply #4 on: March 05, 2010, 03:30:26 PM »
Quote from: thundley4 on March 05, 2010, 03:04:50 PM
I wonder if the footage will make it on one of the shows.

I would think so.
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Offline Chris

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Re: British helicopter pilot shot between the eyes but keeps flying to save 20 soldi
« Reply #5 on: March 05, 2010, 03:34:15 PM »
I think his current show is owned by the BBC the Discovery Channel.  It might make it on the news.
« Last Edit: March 05, 2010, 03:40:19 PM by Chris »
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Offline Airwolf

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Re: British helicopter pilot shot between the eyes but keeps flying to save 20 soldi
« Reply #6 on: March 05, 2010, 05:04:01 PM »
Not to make light of what happened but there are two people that can fly the CH-47 on board. I had something happen to me and the squad I was in years ago at Ft. Irwin when the Huey we were riding in collided with a stupid crow. It hit the left front windshield of the co pilot that was flying the Huey at the time. If the pilot had not of grabbed the stick and collective then we could have went down into the sand dunes we were flying over. 
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Offline jinxmchue

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Re: British helicopter pilot shot between the eyes but keeps flying to save 20 soldi
« Reply #7 on: March 06, 2010, 10:40:36 AM »
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Offline Chris_

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Re: British helicopter pilot shot between the eyes but keeps flying to save 20 soldi
« Reply #8 on: March 06, 2010, 11:26:58 AM »
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A bullet hit a metal rail on the front of his helmet which is used to attach night vision goggles.The round then penetrated his helmet

This is the second story in just a short time where that little metal lip on the helmet that holds night vision goggles has kept a head shot from being fatal.
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Offline Airwolf

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Re: British helicopter pilot shot between the eyes but keeps flying to save 20 soldi
« Reply #9 on: March 06, 2010, 02:15:34 PM »
Evidently the particular aircraft in this story has seen alot of action in its career.

http://www.arcforums.com/forums/air/index.php?showtopic=204843
« Last Edit: March 07, 2010, 04:28:59 PM by Airwolf »
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"Someday, when all your civilization and science are likewise swept away, your kind will pray for a man with a sword."-- Conan the Barbarian

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"He's my hero, you don't put away your heros, you honor them!"

Offline thundley4

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Re: British helicopter pilot shot between the eyes but keeps flying to save 20 soldi
« Reply #10 on: March 06, 2010, 07:09:29 PM »
Quote from: jinxmchue on March 06, 2010, 10:40:36 AM
Wrong flag, dude.  Jus' sayin'.

It's an American Flag, and I was saluting him since I'm and American. I would have used the Navy one since that was my branch, but the general flag works for me.
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Offline The Village Idiot

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Re: British helicopter pilot shot between the eyes but keeps flying to save 20 soldi
« Reply #11 on: March 06, 2010, 07:12:52 PM »
Quote from: thundley4 on March 06, 2010, 07:09:29 PM
It's an American Flag, and I was saluting him since I'm and American. I would have used the Navy one since that was my branch, but the general flag works for me.

I guess since he's British....

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Offline formerlurker

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Re: British helicopter pilot shot between the eyes but keeps flying to save 20 soldi
« Reply #12 on: March 06, 2010, 07:16:40 PM »
What a great story -- Godspeed Lt. Fortune, you are a good man!
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