RAF Chinook downwash allegedly sets off land mines

last SG · 2006-09-30T23:32:26+00:00

used to be known as what you mentioned. now its Foreign Object Damage. but the old term is still recognised during daily communication. "check shoes for FO...

specfore SG

Hi forumnites, a recent and strange allegation that the heavy downwash from a Chinook helicopter can set off landmines exploding.

The Ministry of Defence has said that there was no evidence to support claims that a landmine blast which killed a Para corporal in Afghanistan was caused by the downdraft from an RAF helicopter.

The Sun newspaper reported that the twin-rotor Chinook sent to rescue Cpl Mark Wright and his 3 Para patrol after they became stranded in a minefield earlier this month set off at least two explosions.

According to the paper, Cpl Wright had specified that a smaller helicopter should be sent when he radioed for help, but his request was ignored.

Following the incident, in which five other paras were injured - three losing legs, Cpl Wright's commanding officer said he had died trying to save a comrade who had been injured in an earlier blast.

The Sun quoted a member of the Para patrol as telling comrades: "Mark radioed the ops room but specified they must not send in a Chinook.

"Their downdraft is massive and anyone with any RAF experience knows they would be liable to set off mines as they hover."

The Para said that the Chinook was forced to leave empty after setting off at least two mines.

The patrol was eventually rescued by a smaller US Army Blackhawk helicopter but Cpl Wright died of his injuries on the aircraft.

The MoD however insisted that there was nothing to support the soldier's claims and criticised his decision to speak out publicly.

The latest controversy follows the disclosure of e-mails from a major in the Paras complaining that the RAF in Afghanistan had been "utterly, utterly useless".

sgboy2004 SG

if the downdraft can sets of landmines, it will be a good discovery so they can now use it to clear landmines Smile

scabstermooch SG

1 - Its 'The Sun'. Not exactly a paragon of integrity and objectivity

2 - having said that it is plausible that the downwash might set off mines - either due to the force of the downwash, or due to the debris flying around. After all the Cpl specifically asked for a smaller helicopter rather than a chinook - this implies that they have experience of that happening.

martin_lim85 SG

in war sh!t happens. and yes a downwash of the chinook is great. if a 80++kg man standing near a landing chinook might have the chance to get ‘blown’ away

Shotgun SG

Ya, but to clear landmines with a chinook… later the chinook kena damaged by the landmines. Lagi worse.

touchstone_2000 SG

Note the downwash does not directly trigger the land mines, most probably anti-personnel.

The downwash blast the small rocks, rocks of significant size to trigger the mines.

specfore SG

Yes, tend to agree that the downwash itself may not create enough ground pressure on the landmine or anti-personnel mine to trigger it.

It could be that the downwash lifted some large stones and flung them down on the mine. This could create sufficient impulse to trigger the anti-personnel mine ( which is the more likely type of mine).

And yes, the SUN is a sensationalist newspaper. They were capitalising on a recent article that a major in the British Paras had leaked an email criticising the RAF.

missqi SG

what is a downwash?

martin_lim85 SG

u know when heilcopter blade turning got a strong 'wind'? chinook got 6 blades and when its landing the strong 'wind' will created thats downwash. hartd to explain to u lah, u must experience its b4 then u know Very Happy

missqi SG

woah!
HK movie!
i know i know!
Mr. Green

martin_lim85 SG

still got one time the downwash of the chinook is strong that the pebble nearly hit me Shocked

martin_lim85 SG

HK movie??? which 1?

missqi SG

dont know leh.
got jungle and sea one.

equlus84 SG

I think down wash is a real serious thing. Bcos those who did heli rappeling will know how fast one goes down the rope due to down wash. If u did it from an ordinary building, the speed is very much slower. But i don’t think the down wash is strong enough to trigger mines. But some times dunno why our unit so kanchiong, must remove helmet net and not lose items to be hung outside, when taking helo

martin_lim85 SG

FODs aka Flight O(???) Debris cos loose item may cause alot of trouble in runway things get to fall off if these things fall off and cos the aircraft to malfunction thats bad

ah san SG

FOD- Free of Debris.

Yup down wash of chinook can really blow a 80+ kg man away...1st hand experience when I was hook up man for the whole air task...the down wash literally made me run or should i say fly on air Very Happy

martin_lim85 SG

haha i think Free of Debris is correct ba i only remember the D is debris Laughing

martin_lim85 SG

http://www.ultimateuploads.com/video/videos/177c5a343da37c0ec9530c6db9ccd95f/CH%20LANDING%202.wmv
heres a video i have taken, take a close look at the grass swriling and 'flying' around/away? that downwash

equlus84 SG

FOD—- Foreign Objects & Debris

nextdayagain SG

Originally posted by specfore:

According to the paper, Cpl Wright had specified that a smaller helicopter should be sent when he radioed for help, but his request was ignored.

Following the incident, in which five other paras were injured - three losing legs, Cpl Wright's commanding officer said he had died trying to save a comrade who had been injured in an earlier blast.

Maybe some f***er officers could have brushed a side this Cpl, maybe thinking "What would this Cpl know? He is just a Cpl!

Cpl voice too small, maybe if he was some major, colonel or general and maybe someone would listen to him then.

That poor Cpl should be given some medal, not just purple heart, medal of honour or an victorian cross.