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"Overlooking Runway 25 - Right, at Los Angeles International Airport"  

"Angel Fire"

CH-47D Air Mission To Baghdad

The Tragic Flight Home

&

Promise For Our Next Flights Home

Feature Date: November, 2003

Countryman & McDaniel

 The Air & Ocean Logistics- Customs Broker Attorneys

"Overlooking Runway 25 - Right, at Los Angeles International Airport"

On The Scene -- At Baghdad

In Memorial To 36 Troopers

of the

3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment

"Brave Rifles"

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 "Angel Fire"

CH-47 Air Mission To Baghdad

In Memorial To 36 Troopers

of the

3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment

"Brave Rifles"

The Tragic Flight Home

&

Promise For Our Next Flights Home

 

2 November 2003

The Time: Morning

The Date: Sunday 2 Nov. 2003

The Place: Baghdad int'l Airport

A CH-47 Flight Home
On the morning of 2 Nov. 2003, a formation of two CH-47 Chinook helicopters of F Company, 106th Aviation Battalion, 12th Aviation Brigade carrying more than 50 souls moves toward the U.S. base at Baghdad Int'l Airport. These are mostly exhausted, battle weary soldiers going to the exit airport for well earned rest and recreation (R&R) flights abroad.

Mostly the flight consists of troops from the U.S. Army 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, based at Fort Carson, Colorado. Originally earning it's spurs on the frontier in 1850's New Mexico Territory, today, the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment is the only heavy Armored Cavalry Regiment in the U.S. Army that owns the distinction of 157 years of continuous active duty.

U.S. military officials had repeatedly warned that hundreds of shoulder-fired surface-to-air missiles remain unaccounted for in Iraq after the collapse of Saddam Hussein's regime in April 2003 -- but these threats are just another in the parade of horribles from which the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment troopers hope to take temporary leave this morning. The pilots, including 1st Lt. Brian D. Slavenas, of Genoa, Ill., remain wary.

Suddenly, the CH-47 Chinook helicopters come under fire from an unknown weapon -- perhaps a rocket propelled grenade or -- more likely -- a shoulder-fired surface-to-air missile. Disaster.

An eyewitness account reported:

" ... helicopter was flying at between 200 & 300 feet - meaning that the fast-moving missile, when fired at the correct angle of approach, allowed little time for its target to escape."

 Two missiles were fired. One slammed into the right side of the helicopter's rear engine, causing it to fail catastrophically and triggering a fire. In addition to the 15 killed, 25 people aboard were injured.

 The exact type of missile used has not been determined, the Army official said, although it is known to have been of the shoulder-fired variety, also known as a man-portable air defense missile. Speculation has centered on the SA-7, a Russian-designed missile widely available in Iraq.

 The official said a number of survivors, Iraqi eyewitnesses on the ground and passengers aboard a second Army helicopter flying nearby reported having seen flares after the missile was launched. The official stressed, however, that he considered this information to be unconfirmed."

The CH-47D Chinook (1991 model), piloted by 1st Lt. Brian D. Slavenas is down. There are 16 dead & 26 wounded. The attack was the single deadliest of the war for American forces.

The other CH-47D Chinook takes successful evasive action and is spared. The total number of enemy rounds fired is unclear.

This investigation is likely to continue for some time.

In Memorial -- 2 Nov. 2003 -- Heroes

Staff Sgt. Daniel Bader, 28, of Colorado Springs, Colo.

Assigned to Air Defense Artillery Battery, 1st Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Carson, Colo.

 Sgt. Ernest G. Bucklew, 33, of Enon Valley, Pa.

Assigned to Support Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Carson, Colo.

Sgt. Steven D. Conover, 21, of Wilmington, Ohio.

Assigned to 2nd Battalion, 5th Field Artillery Regiment, Fort Sill, Okla.

Pfc. Anthony D. D'Agostino, 20, of Waterbury, Conn.

Assigned to the 16th Signal Brigade, Fort Hood, Texas.

Sgt. Paul F. Fisher, 39, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa*

*Died at a hospital in Germany

Spc. Darius T. Jennings, 22, of Cordova, S.C.

Assigned to 2nd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Carson, Colo.

Pfc. Karina S. Lau, 20, of Livingston, Calif.

Assigned to the 16th Signal Brigade, Fort Hood, Texas.

Sgt. Keelan L. Moss, 23, of Houston.

Assigned to 2nd Battalion, 5th Field Artillery Regiment, Fort Sill, Okla.

Spc. Brian Penisten, 28, of Fort Wayne, Ind.

Assigned to Air Defense Artillery Battery, 1st Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Carson, Colo.

Sgt. Ross A. Pennanen, 36, of Shawnee, Okla.

Assigned to 2nsd Battalion, 5th Field Artillery Regiment, Fort Sill, Okla.

Sgt. Joel Perez, 25, of Rio Grande, Puerto Rico.

Assigned to 2nd Battalion, 5th Field Artillery Unit, Fort Sill, Okla.

First Lt. Brian D. Slavenas, 30, of Genoa, Ill.

Assigned to F Company, 106th Aviation Battalion, Army National Guard, Peoria, Ill.

Chief Warrant Officer Bruce A. Smith, 41, of West Liberty, Iowa.

Assigned to Detachment 1, Company F, 106th Aviation Battalion, Army National Guard, Davenport, Iowa.

Staff Sgt. Paul A. Velazquez, 29, of San Diego.

Assigned to 2nd Battalion, 5th Field Artillery Regiment, Fort Sill, Okla.

Spc. Frances M. Vega, 20, of Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico.

Assigned to the 151st Adjutant General Postal Detachment 3, Fort Hood, Texas.

Staff Sgt. Joe N. Wilson, 30, of Crystal Springs, Miss.

Assigned to 2nd Battalion, 5th Field Artillery Regiment, Fort Sill, Okla.
 
From Tragedy -- There Is Hope

As Outlined Below ....

With "Angel Fire" -- Hope Renews For Civilian Aviation Security

Workhorse: The 10-ton CH-47 Chinook is a twin-turbine, tandem-rotor, heavy-lift transport helicopter. The helicopter is primarily used to move troops, artillery pieces, ammunition, fuel, water, barrier materials, supplies & equipment on the battlefield. The U.S. Army has operated a variety of CH-47 Chinook models since 1962.

Manufacturer: Boeing

Engine: Two Textron Lycoming T55-L712 engines

Performance at 50,000 pounds:

 Sea level cruise: Top speed 184 mph

Crew:

Cockpit-crew: 3

Cabin-troop: 33

Weights:

Maximum gross: 50,000 pounds

Empty: 23,401 pounds

Lessons Learned in the loss of this CH-47D Chinook, piloted by 1st Lt. Brian D. Slavenas ...

-- Could Play A Role In Future Civilian Aviation Security

Wreckage of the CH-47D Chinook from F Company, 106th Aviation Battalion, Army National Guard, Peoria, Ill. is removed in the picture above. There is grief for both Americans & the world, given a great loss of life.

But what of witnesses to the CH-47D Chinook shoot down who "reported having seen flares after the (terrorist) missile was launched?"

The Associated Press reported on November 7, 2003:

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Army helicopter shot down over Iraq last weekend apparently had a last-second warning of an approaching missile and managed to launch flares designed to draw the heat-seeking missile away, a senior Army official said. It is not clear why the defensive moves did not work, but the official, who discussed the attack investigation on condition he not be identified, said U.S. officials believe the shooter simply got in a "lucky shot."

Those "flares" seen after the CH-47D Chinook was attacked on Nov. 2 2003 at Baghdad are a hint of a new civilian aviation security future.

Those helicopters had an ALQ-156 Defensive System, including a flare dispenser aboard -- standard equipment on all Chinooks, whether active duty or National Guard. *

The Chinooks are equipped to dispense"Angel Fire" -- Nov. 2 was just a "lucky shot."

* Some Chinooks in Iraq are equipped with a different missile alert system, called the ALE-47, but officials insist that while different in function, the ALE-47 is not necessarily more effective against all missile threats.

Following the many threats against civilian airliners by terrorists since 9-11, the U.S. Defense Dept. announced on 12 Nov. 2003 an intention to consider protecting passenger craft with the ALQ-156 Defensive System. Indeed, it is understood that El Al Airlines has equipped it's civilian airliners with this type of protection for some years.

Like those brave troops of the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment over Baghdad -- soon Your next flight to Denver could employ this air defense technique.

ANGEL DECOY: The photo above is of a U.S. Air Force C-130 -- also equipped with the ALQ-156 Defensive System to repel heat seeking missiles. The pattern formed by these "decoys" are how they got their name... it's truly awesome!

Because "Angel Decoy" maneuvers are usually carried out in remote areas or over water, the general public does not normally get to see these exercises.
The ALQ-156 Defensive System has two parts - the 1st is the AlQ-156, the electronic part that plots the flight of the attack weapon & determines when to try to counter it. The 2nd part is the M-130 Dispenser that emits hot flares, designed to draw heat-seeking weapons away from the aircraft, and chaff -- aluminum designed to try to jam enemy radar.

The ALQ-156 system is linked electronically with the flare & chaff canisters, and can be set either to automatically or manually dispense them once a missile is detected.

The U.S. Defense Dept. could not disclose whether the ALQ-156 system was in "automatic mode" at the time of the CH-47D Chinook shoot down on Nov. 2 2003, but described the system as "operational." However, the CH-47D Chinook was flying at only 200 to 300 feet -- the crew simply may not have had enough time to conduct a successful evasion. Still it was a "lucky shot."

 
This "Angel Decoy" maneuver is awesome -- but as this technology advances to the Int'l civilian aircraft fleet --
-- hopefully -- "Angel Fire" -- will provide added protection to us from terror.
 

From Our Reader - 24 July 2008

I recently read your article referencing the events of Nov 2, 2003 in the shooting down of the Chinook in Iraq. As a member of the unit I was a little discouraged by the fact that not all of your information and references were correct.

The Aircraft was 91-00230, an aircraft from Detachment 1, F 106th AVN in Davenport, IA. The unit's flag is in Peoria, IL; but half of the unit & aircraft are from Davenport, Iowa.

The aircrew flying 230 consisted of 5 soldiers. Those that passed away were:

CW4 Bruce Smith, was the Pilot in Command of the aircraft & was from Det 1 F 106th AVN in Davenport, IA

1LT Brian Slavenas was the Pilot & was from F(-)106th AVN in Peoria, IL

SGT Paul Fisher was one of the Flight Engineers & was from Det 1 106th AVN in Davenport, IA

When we deployed, we all came together to be F Co 106th AVN. A lot of the info gets confused because we are in the company but we're not.

230 was equiped with the ALQ156 automated flare dispensing system, however the flare bucket was a M-130, 1 bucket. When the missile was shot at 230 which was Chalk 1 in a formation of 2, it didnt launch flares. The missile impacted the #2 (right) engine and the aircraft went down, it impacted hard enough that the aircraft crumpled and rolled stopping on the burm of a creek bed. Chalk 2, aircraft 243 did manually launch flares as they performed evasive maneuvers.

The place was 9 nm east of the Al Taqaddum airbase (TQ for short) in Fallujah, Iraq. The aircraft was flying from Al Asad air base in western Iraq to Ramadi, to TQ, to St. Mere, to Baghdad Internation Airport (BIAP) to drop off soldiers going home on leave. The incident happened on the way from TQ to St. Mere.

After the incident the army updated the National Guard aircraft with a new flare dispensing system called the ALE 47 which had 2 buckets on each side. It still relied on the ALQ 156 to detect the incoming threat. At no time has it ever been referenced as Angel Fire. The picture you show of the C-130 is the only time anyone has ever called launching flares angelfire because it looks like an angel when launched from that aircraft.

I hope that you will update the info, its great to see the story out there, however correct information would be best.

Sincerely,
Jason Rassi, CW3, AV - B 2-238th GSAB (formerly F(-)106th AVN), Peoria, IL

 


Our "Angel Fire" INDEX For This Feature --

3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment
3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment

3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment History

The Armored Cavalry Regiments

Protecting Airliners From Terrorist Missiles - The proliferation of shoulder-fired surface-to-air missiles poses a growing threat to all forms of air traffic. This newly updated report from the Congressional Research Service surveys the options for addressing the threat.

The ALQ-156 Defensive System (UNCLASSIFIED)

GENERAL: The AN/ALQ-156(V)3 Missile Approach Detector is an airborne radar system which provides infrared homing protection to the aircraft by detecting the approach of anti-aircraft missiles. Upon detection of an on-coming missile, the missile detector automatically initiates a signal that triggers the M-130 General Purpose Dispenser System. The dispenser system then releases a flare to decoy the infrared missile(s) away from the aircraft. This system has been transitioned to Communications-Electronics Command (CECOM).

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS: The AN/ALQ-156(V)3 Missile Approach Detector consists of a receiver/transmitter (RT), a control indicator and four identical planar slot antennas. The RT is equipped with a built-in-test capability for the system. The total system weight is 63.8 pounds.

THREAT COVERAGE: The AN/ALQ-156(V)3 Missile Approach Detector and M-130 Dispenser with flares are designed to provide protection against present and near-term infrared homing missile threats.

AN/ALQ-156A MAWS Missile Approach Warning System

AN/ALQ-156A MAWS Missile Approach Warning System

AN/ALQ-156 (V)3 Missile Approach Detector

BAE Systems Pamphlet

Transitioned Electronic Countermeasures

The Aircraft Presented In This Feature:

C-130 Hercules
U.S. Air Force

U.S. Navy

Lockheed Photo Vault - the builder

Operational History

OPNS Details

System Program Office - continued manufacture

Variants

CH-47 Chinook....

Boeing - the manufacturer

Background

Biggs Army Airfield

CH-47D - the model in this feature

Gallery

SA-7 Grail

Take A Break - Our LAX Videdo - Home Theme! - this is where your Cargo Letter staff lives!


Special Thanks To Contributors For Our "Angel Fire" Feature

Mr. Aaron White, Southwest Airlines, Customer Relations, Headquarters Executive Offices, Dallas, TX.

Mr. Blaine Prentiss, Countryman & McDaniel - for research

Thanks to our contributors,
McD


NOTE: Please Provide Us With Your Additional Information For This Loss.


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