Rescue Heroes

Apache pilots save critically-wounded Soldier with unorthodox evacuation is a heart-warming story of Chief Warrant Officer-4 Kevin Purtee and Chief Warrant Officer-2 Allen Crist, both Apache AH-64 aviators from Company B, 1st Battalion, 149th Aviation Regiment (Attack), , 36th Combat Aviation Brigade.

On 30 June, Purtee and Crist were flying their last combat mission over Ramadi, Iraq.  Over their radio, they received word of a soldier who had been badly injured by the enemy near Donkey Island in Ramadi.  The soldier had been shot in the face and in the arm and needed to be evacuated quickly in order to save his life.

Chief Crist assisted three infantrymen in lifting the wounded Soldier into the Apache’s front seat.  Chief Crist then tethered himself to the left side of the Apache and rode to the hospital on the small wing of the aircraft.  Yes, outside the aircraft.

Once they dropped the wounded warrior off at the hospital at Camp Ar Ramadi, the two pilots flew back to the battle.

The pilots said they didn’t see themselves as heroes. They said the real hero was the Soldier who was shot while engaging the enemy.