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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Brainburn" data-source="post: 131939" data-attributes="member: 1870">I can address a couple of the issues you asked about.I was an 18E for about 9 yrs and personally know a couple of the guys that were there (John and Paul).First:They WERE pinned down but had the opportunity a couple of times to move to "higher ground" when things got bad. One of the reasons they couldn't/wouldn't was because of the convoy that was "just around the corner". They fully expected the convoy to get there and provide covering fire while they piled in and got the hell out of there. Another was the wounded guys. Sometimes you just have to suck it up and worry about them. I can't hazard guess any other justifications the D-boys had for staying on the ground. If they wanted to there must have been a good enough reason to do it. I wouldn't second guess them.Visibility of a chopper compared to a ground vehicle really comes into play here too. You can see a chopper from EVERYWHERE in the area compared to the minimal visibility footprint of wheeled vehicles. When the chopper came in to re-supply them on the ground it was in the area for about 30-40 seconds and got chewed up. It would have taken considerably longer to load everyone. A Blackhawk will fly after taking incredible amounts of damage but they were getting chewed up pretty bad. Imagine the balls the pilots and crew had to even fly into that environment. Much less go back again and again after seeing the last one come back in spewing fluids and whistling like a thrown cheese grader. The pilots were lined up to fly. Any bird available was spun up and ready to go. TF-160 is THE BEST aviation unit in the world.**On a side note** Medics are truly blessed with the protective hand of God (or whoever you believe in). I have witnessed them doing things that would make you want to cry with pride. I have seen them turn their backs on everything to treat and try to stabilize hurt/wounded guys.Cpt. Steele was a pompous, arrogant, condescending ass who was trying to make a name for himself instead of working with more qualified and competent soldiers. His boys (rangers) truly look up to the D-boys and wanted the operational freedom that is not possible with their line of work. I understand his concern with them getting another mind set but I personally feel he endangered lives unnecessarily.I don’t remember if they had APCs available or not. I can’t really say with confidence either way.The movie was pretty close to the book aside from the hollywooding. Although I have to mention the book missed some real good information concerning John. I have never met a more genuine, honest, caring and deadly guy. I am humbled to be around him. <DISCLAIMER!!!!!! PERSONAL OPINION FOLLOWS>He actually turned me on to the idea of it being ok to believe in religion and not being embarrassed about it. I hope this helped some.MikeDe Oppresso Liber</blockquote>

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