By CWO4 (ret) Greg Coker Task Force 160, Special Operations Aviation Regiment, “The Night Stalkers,” and Master Sergeant (ret) George Edward Hand IV, 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta, “The Delta Force.” You can read part I here.

Greg’s note:

I have been considering writing some of my stories down for quite some time. I prayed about doing this and feel that God approves. I also had a few buddies, outside influence, that told me to write. My argument was always the same, I am no one special, I just did my job, I was just at the right place at the right time… or the wrong time. These are my thoughts, experiences, emotions that I don’t care to share with anyone. I did start a journal on 9-11, it is in my safe. Thanks to Geo and Kyle Lamb for your inspiration. Kyle would say: “Gravy, if it ain’t written, it never happened.” My wife, Edie, has been my biggest support and inspiration. God sure did bless me. I love you.

 

My right shoulder had been dislocated and every time I tried to stand I would fall down, my right leg was not working. I sat down thinking my leg was broken and did another check, all was good. (In fact, Greg’s C3, L4, and L5 vertebrae had been damaged causing the leg to fail, he had both shoulders dislocated.) I did a quick sweep to check the enemy situation and did not see my copilot.

I attempted to get my ruck out of the cargo area, it had my NVG’s, ammo, water, and grenades but the fire was too intense. The helo was engulfed in fire up to the cockpit and I was worried about my copilot. I crawled back into the cockpit and my copilot was still hanging there upside down in the seat belts.

The fire was at his left arm so I pulled the seat belt latch, he hit the ground and I dragged him out of the aircraft. Later he told me that right after we touched down I had thrown my left arm across his chest to stabilize him, an instinct all parents demonstrate when they fear an impact while driving in a car with a loved-one! Later, my wingman told me it was the purtiest auto(rotation) he had ever seen! Any landing you can walk away from is a good landing!

He was dazed, confused, and had blood all over his face. We were both knocked unconscious and my helmet was cracked where my head impacted the door frame. We sat down so I could check Peter, my co-pilot, his back was hurting and his face was bloodied. I removed his helmet to examine his head and face.