NcDeuce
10-20-2003, 06:52 PM
160th SOAR remembers battle of Takur Ghar
by Kelli Petermeyer
Fort Campbell Courier
March seems ages ago for most Americans, but for six Fort Campbell soldiers, the memory of two cold, dark spring days is still vivid.
For their actions during the 15-hour battle of Takur Ghar, Afghanistan, March 3-4, six 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) soldiers received military awards at a ceremony Wednesday.
The events of that snow, mountain battle forced images and emotions that most will never understand.
"They [Americans] will never themselves experience the stinging fear that Don, Cory, and Brian must have felt as bullets and RPGs ripped through their helicopter -- or the anguish of trying to save the lives of their friends and fellow soldiers," said Col. Andrew Milani II, commander, 160th SOAR.
During the ceremony, Milani shared a detailed account of the events that occured at Takur Ghar.
The crowd present at the ceremony saw the battle through the eyes of one of the men who will forever remember every second of the encounter. Chief Warrant Officer Alan Mack, pilot in commond of Razor 03, an MH-47E Chinook sent to insert an observation post atop the 10,000 foot snowy mountain, Takur Ghar as part of Operation Anaconda.
I will add the rest of the article and photos of Lt. Gen. Phillip Kensinger Jr. (commanding general of the United States Army Special Operations Command) presenting the Silver Star and Broken Wing awards to several Night Stalkers tomorrow.
by Kelli Petermeyer
Fort Campbell Courier
March seems ages ago for most Americans, but for six Fort Campbell soldiers, the memory of two cold, dark spring days is still vivid.
For their actions during the 15-hour battle of Takur Ghar, Afghanistan, March 3-4, six 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) soldiers received military awards at a ceremony Wednesday.
The events of that snow, mountain battle forced images and emotions that most will never understand.
"They [Americans] will never themselves experience the stinging fear that Don, Cory, and Brian must have felt as bullets and RPGs ripped through their helicopter -- or the anguish of trying to save the lives of their friends and fellow soldiers," said Col. Andrew Milani II, commander, 160th SOAR.
During the ceremony, Milani shared a detailed account of the events that occured at Takur Ghar.
The crowd present at the ceremony saw the battle through the eyes of one of the men who will forever remember every second of the encounter. Chief Warrant Officer Alan Mack, pilot in commond of Razor 03, an MH-47E Chinook sent to insert an observation post atop the 10,000 foot snowy mountain, Takur Ghar as part of Operation Anaconda.
I will add the rest of the article and photos of Lt. Gen. Phillip Kensinger Jr. (commanding general of the United States Army Special Operations Command) presenting the Silver Star and Broken Wing awards to several Night Stalkers tomorrow.