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Apache rescue mission of Royal Marine Mathew Ford retold in BBC podcast Apache rescue mission of Royal Marine Mathew Ford retold in BBC podcast
(about 5 hours later)
Troops attached themselves to the sides of two Apaches in a bid to rescue L/Cpl Mathew Ford in AfghanistanTroops attached themselves to the sides of two Apaches in a bid to rescue L/Cpl Mathew Ford in Afghanistan
It was one of the most audacious missions of the war in Afghanistan: a group of Royal Marines strapping themselves to the sides of two Apache gunships to recover the body of one of their own, L/Cpl Mathew Ford. The pilot of one of the aircraft involved tells the remarkable story as part of a 10-part BBC podcast series.It was one of the most audacious missions of the war in Afghanistan: a group of Royal Marines strapping themselves to the sides of two Apache gunships to recover the body of one of their own, L/Cpl Mathew Ford. The pilot of one of the aircraft involved tells the remarkable story as part of a 10-part BBC podcast series.
"You can't go into a situation thinking I might not," says Tom O'Malley, a former Apache helicopter pilot."You can't go into a situation thinking I might not," says Tom O'Malley, a former Apache helicopter pilot.
"I went into that situation thinking I definitely will and we succeed.""I went into that situation thinking I definitely will and we succeed."
On 15 January 2007, his goal was clear: to find L/Cpl Ford, from Immingham in Lincolnshire, who was missing in action following an assault on Jugroom Fort, a Taliban-held position in Garmsir, Helmand Province.On 15 January 2007, his goal was clear: to find L/Cpl Ford, from Immingham in Lincolnshire, who was missing in action following an assault on Jugroom Fort, a Taliban-held position in Garmsir, Helmand Province.
The commandos were forced to withdraw under heavy fire during a surprise Taliban counterattack.The commandos were forced to withdraw under heavy fire during a surprise Taliban counterattack.
L/ Cpl Ford was killed in Afghanistan on 15 January 2007L/ Cpl Ford was killed in Afghanistan on 15 January 2007
When the fighting had stopped, Tom - circling overhead in his Apache AH Mk1 - recalls being told one man was unaccounted for.When the fighting had stopped, Tom - circling overhead in his Apache AH Mk1 - recalls being told one man was unaccounted for.
Targeting equipment onboard showed L/Cpl Ford was still within the fort.Targeting equipment onboard showed L/Cpl Ford was still within the fort.
"I could identify that there was a heat source which gave me the belief that there was life," recalls Tom, 58. "There's a life that can be saved.""I could identify that there was a heat source which gave me the belief that there was life," recalls Tom, 58. "There's a life that can be saved."
A plan was hatched.A plan was hatched.
Apaches are double crewed, comprising a pilot and a gunner. Crucially, there is no space for passengers.Apaches are double crewed, comprising a pilot and a gunner. Crucially, there is no space for passengers.
However, in the event of an aircraft crashing behind enemy lines another Apache could rescue the crew by having them connect straps and 'ride' on the outside, near the wings. However, in the event of an aircraft crashing behind enemy lines another Apache could rescue the crew by having them connect straps and "ride" on the outside, near the wings.
"If that's the technique we can use to take people away from a situation, then we could use that same technique to take people into a situation," says Tom."If that's the technique we can use to take people away from a situation, then we could use that same technique to take people into a situation," says Tom.
The Fort podcast is available to download from BBC SoundsThe Fort podcast is available to download from BBC Sounds
He's sitting in his South Yorkshire home, but his mind is returning to the Apache cockpit.He's sitting in his South Yorkshire home, but his mind is returning to the Apache cockpit.
"From that idea, the whole plan began to evolve.""From that idea, the whole plan began to evolve."
Three Royal Marines and a soldier from the Royal Corps of Engineers volunteered to attach themselves to the sides of two Apaches - one piloted by Tom and the other by Ed Macy.Three Royal Marines and a soldier from the Royal Corps of Engineers volunteered to attach themselves to the sides of two Apaches - one piloted by Tom and the other by Ed Macy.
It was something never attempted before.It was something never attempted before.
But Tom insists he had "supreme confidence" in the men.But Tom insists he had "supreme confidence" in the men.
"Knowing that everybody was capable made the decision-making process a whole lot easier."Knowing that everybody was capable made the decision-making process a whole lot easier.
"I knew that what we were doing, there were dangers associated with it and I just had to bury those deep.""I knew that what we were doing, there were dangers associated with it and I just had to bury those deep."
The four volunteers receiving a brief from the 9 Regiment AAC pilotThe four volunteers receiving a brief from the 9 Regiment AAC pilot
Moments before the two Apaches touched down to collect L/Cpl Ford, a bomb was dropped nearby to distract any remaining Taliban.Moments before the two Apaches touched down to collect L/Cpl Ford, a bomb was dropped nearby to distract any remaining Taliban.
Through dust, smoke and debris from the resulting explosion, Tom landed the £42m aircraft, allowing the men to disembark.Through dust, smoke and debris from the resulting explosion, Tom landed the £42m aircraft, allowing the men to disembark.
In the podcast, their commander, Rob Magowan, says: "I felt tremendous pressure because I was effectively sentencing people to one of the most dangerous missions that they would ever embark upon."In the podcast, their commander, Rob Magowan, says: "I felt tremendous pressure because I was effectively sentencing people to one of the most dangerous missions that they would ever embark upon."
Tom says: "These men knew, as we all knew, that we were landing right in the enemy's garden."Tom says: "These men knew, as we all knew, that we were landing right in the enemy's garden."
The rescue team found L/Cpl Ford dead.The rescue team found L/Cpl Ford dead.
Capt David Rigg (left) and Royal Marines Commando Chris Fraser-Perry, who were involved in retrieving L/Cpl Ford, climb on board an ApacheCapt David Rigg (left) and Royal Marines Commando Chris Fraser-Perry, who were involved in retrieving L/Cpl Ford, climb on board an Apache
While under relentless enemy fire, the men secured the fallen commando's body to one of the Apaches and brought him home.While under relentless enemy fire, the men secured the fallen commando's body to one of the Apaches and brought him home.
Although it was not the outcome anyone had hoped for, his body was brought home to his mother Joan Ford. Although it was not the outcome anyone had hoped for, his body was brought home to his mother, Joan Ford.
Her boy rests in peace.Her boy rests in peace.
"She knows that her boy is there," says Tom. "That means the world to her. She knows that Mathew got home."She knows that her boy is there," says Tom. "That means the world to her. She knows that Mathew got home.
"He was given the honourable burial he was worthy of and his friends, family, colleagues have a play they can go and pay their respects. "He was given the honourable burial he was worthy of and his friends, family, colleagues have a place they can go and pay their respects.
"That, in terms of military morale, is going to be difficult to try and put a value on.""That, in terms of military morale, is going to be difficult to try and put a value on."
Today, the Jugroom Fort mission remains a shining example of military brotherhood, bravery and resolve.Today, the Jugroom Fort mission remains a shining example of military brotherhood, bravery and resolve.
"What we demonstrated to every soldier there is that no matter where you find yourself, in whatever condition you find yourself, somebody is going to get you home," says Tom."What we demonstrated to every soldier there is that no matter where you find yourself, in whatever condition you find yourself, somebody is going to get you home," says Tom.
"For every mother whose son is joining the army this week, for every mother whose son has ever served in the army, I'm sure that means everything to them.""For every mother whose son is joining the army this week, for every mother whose son has ever served in the army, I'm sure that means everything to them."
A street in Immingham was named after the Royal Marine who was killedA street in Immingham was named after the Royal Marine who was killed
Both Tom and Ed were awarded a Military Cross for their heroism that day. Tom was awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross, while Ed was awarded a Military Cross for their heroism that day.
Kevin Core, who produced the podcast series, says the recount is "like from the pages of a novel", but adds "it actually happened". Kevin Core, who produced the podcast series, says the recount is like something "from the pages of a novel", but adds "it actually happened".
"I would love people to listen to The Fort and come out with an understanding of how intelligent you have to be to operate in the military at this level.""I would love people to listen to The Fort and come out with an understanding of how intelligent you have to be to operate in the military at this level."
The Fort is available to listen to now on BBC Sounds.The Fort is available to listen to now on BBC Sounds.
Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
Download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android devicesDownload the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android devices