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David Guttenfelder / AP
U.S. Air Force pararescuemen ride in the back of their medivac helicopter with the American flag-draped bodies of U.S. soldiers who were killed in a roadside bomb attack in Afghanistan's Kandahar province on Oct. 10, 2010. The pararescuemen and pilots from the 46th and 26th Expeditionary Rescue Squadrons responded to the attack which killed two American soldiers and wounded three others.
AP photographer David Guttenfelder was aboard an Air Force Expeditionary Rescue Squadron helicopter that responded to a call about a Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle that had been struck by an IED in Afghanistan's Kandahar province. Two of the American soldiers aboard the armored vehicle were killed, and three had been seriously injured.
Guttenfelder describes the scene: “We landed in a huge marijuana field, which is growing everywhere in the area, and I could see as we were coming in that the vehicle was completely destroyed; there was nothing left of it and the soldiers were kneeling by the side of the road with their two fallen colleagues, waiting for the helicopter to land.
“On the flight back, they took two flags out of the back of the helicopter and unfolded them and carefully took the bodies of the soldiers and placed them in bags and then wrapped them in American flags in the back of the helicopter. And the helicopter is flying at 150 miles an hour, very low, tactical flying because they’re taking contact often from the enemy.
“When the pararescue guys were covering the bodies in the back of the helicopter, they had only two flags with them. The wind was whipping through the open window … A medic was unfolding one of the flags and handed it to me to free his hands when
the wind caught it and it blew out the window and they lost it. So they only had one flag.
"They were talking to each other on the radios, ‘What are we gonna do?’ One of the pilots had a flag that he kept inside, behind the plate of his flak jacket that he’d kept with him for every deployment he’d ever done – in Iraq, and Afghanistan, he flew over Washington D.C. with it, his children had kissed it and his friends had signed it and he carried it in his flak jacket since he started in the Air Force. He took it out and passed it to the back of the helicopter and that was one of the flags that they used to cover one of the guys.”
When asked how the soldiers reacted to him shooting pictures during such a personal, sensitive moment, Guttenfelder said, “The soldiers were as respectful of me as I was of them.
“I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t think it was important, because it’s not an easy thing to do.”
Guttenfelder has been covering the war in Afghanistan for nine years.
David Guttenfelder / AP
U.S. soldiers carry the body of one of the two American soldiers killed to a medical evacuation helicopter.
David Guttenfelder / AP
Soldiers carry the bodies of fellow soldiers toward the helicopter.
David Guttenfelder / AP
U.S. Air Force pararescuemen place the bodies of U.S. soldiers into body bags in the back of their medivac helicopter.
David Guttenfelder / AP
U.S. Air Force pararescuemen pass an American flag to one another in the back of their medivac helicopter as they prepare to wrap the bodies.
David Guttenfelder / AP
U.S. Air Force pararescuemen wait in the back of the medivac helicopter while the door gunner mans the .50 caliber machine gun.
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These left me speechless and teary eyed. That's as real as it gets. God Bless the brave ones who willingly fight for us so that we don't have to. Amazing, just amazing.
To all the ones on this blog. I just finished my 5th tour in Iraq and served 2 tours in Afaghan. I am one soldier that says thank you. Mr. Guttenfelder, you are a true friend to the Armed Services. You show images that the big news won't show. I understand the PTSD and the lost of brothers and sisters. I too have dug out dog tags from body bags of 4 of my battle buddies that I keep on my dog tags every day. For the ones who dodge war. My father was a Vietnam vet. I understand his pain cause I am following in his footsteps. They should all got to hell period. For the objector of war. You think just putting on the uniform is just a way to get into college. You chose to serve and protect this country but I guess you signed a little piece of paper that you couldn't go to war. So for you the same as the dodger, YOU CAN GO TO HELL WITH THEM. Thank you for all the praises and love.
Grifter, thank you for our freedom. I'am sure you know how us true AMERICANS feel of your duty! GOD BLESS!
thank you! watch your 6, be lucky!
Grifter79,
Thank you from the bottom of my heart brother. I am so appreciative of your service and sacrifice. I to am a Patriot who enlisted volunteer Army in '78 when we did not have a Commander in Chief with the intestinal fortitude for war and allowed Iran to take our hostages. I still contend to this day had we gone in and done what needed to be done. You and all of your fellow soldiers would not have to be there. Who knows. Anyhow thank you from a 11BB with a scope!
Thank you to the heroes who lost their lives and to those still serving. Heartfelt prayers to their survivors and loved ones. It is so saddening to lose these precious people. Those who serve our country embody the best that America has to offer, our best hopes for the future. As a country we are better for their having been here, worse for their loss. It is up to us who reap the reward of their necessary sacrifice to seek a better way as a species to iron out our disagreements. Imagine a world where these heroes survive and bring their honor and talents to bear in our society. Wars are often necessary, and that's a terrible thing because we lose our best and brightest. To our men and women serving, we are thinking of you, we are proud of you, and come home safely.
I will miss these kindhearted, selfless, dedicated, loyal, creative, curious, adventurous, admirable, and brave young men. Men I never had the priviledge to know, yet I've met so many good men and women just like them. I am an American, and I owe these young men my freedom, the young men and women just like them from centuries and decades and years and months and days ago, who have also sacrificed everything so that I may live safer in a free nation. I will miss them and never forget them, I only wish I could have known their smiling faces in peacetime. Never Forget. Bless them and their families for their gift of sacrifice.
As a former sailor-USNavy 1980-1990-I just want to thank all those men and women in all the services and the organizations of the CIA and others. The sacrifice of your time away from home and loved ones will be repaid to you tenfold. You are loved and admired, missed and respected. It is your fighting spirit that gives us the very right to post these thoughts on this page. "The freedom of speech was not won by the media or any news group but by the fighting men and women of our United States Armed Forces.
God Bless The U.S.A.
fair winds and following seas to you all...
As well as the Freedom of Religion! Thank you Martin.
My son leaves me the 15th of Dec. to Kandahar. He is in the Army. I could not be more proud of him!!! I am truly thankful each day that these men and women fight for us as if it is nothing!! I pray for his safe return!! God Bless each and everyone of them!!
I just want to say thank you to the families of these fallen soldiers. Once again my heart goes out to my fellow brothers and sisters in arms! You are truly the brave warriors of our nation. You are the Volunteer Military. You go where ever your nation commands you. You leave your families, friends, fellow employee's, etc. and go off to a far away nation with so many different customs. You spend multiple tours over there trying to bring a better way of life to a people oppressed. Sometimes those same people are unappreciative of you being there. You sacrifice more than any person can without a complaint. Oh yeah we sometimes piss and moan a bit, yet you still rise to the occasion. You give up holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, birth of new sons or daughters. Oh yes and the not so published horrors of returning home and finding someone was not as committed as you. Yes some of you go over to serve your country with honor to return home with the symbol of Freedom we so loved as a kid and always dreamed of the day we may have to protect that wonderful beacon of Freedom to return home with it as our comforter. Yes you all sacrifice daily. I and I am sure all of my fellow Americans thank you and your families, friends, loved ones for all you give everyday, every moment, every second. We thank you very much for your gift of sacrifice. Let not your blood be spilled in vain. Thank you to all our US Military Forces who ever served this great nation. To all our Viet Nam Vets, I say this "THANK YOU AND WELCOME HOME!"
The Helicopter Pilot Mentioned In This Story Is A True Patriot And Should Be Honored By The President As Well As The Servicemen / Women We Lost In This Attack!!!!!THEY GAVE ALL FOR AMERICA
First off I would to thank all of you for your prayers and blessings.
Currently I am a US Airman deployed to Iraq and even though I do not have the duty of going "outside the wire", I do have the duty of loading US Cargo planes. All to often I also have the duty of loading our fallen Soldiers, Sailors, and Airman on to these aircraft for thier transport home to their families. Some may see this as a little less than desireable duty, but my self and my fellow airman who are tasked with this duty see it as one of the most honoable things to do and be a part of. It is ALWAYS accomplished with the upmost respect to the service member and their family.
In reading the text with the photos, I would like to say to the pilot of the chopper that providing that US Flag for that soldier was a first class move. Thank you sir.
Well said. We in america wish you and your brothers and sisters a safe return! God Bless!
hang tuff airman,you and your comrades dont have to go out side the fence,every where over there is a danger zone,never forget that! keep doing the job with your head high and know that america wants you home safe!
SEMPER FI
RETIRED SERGENT
P.S, I HAVE A AMERICAN FLAG I RECEIVED WHEN I RETIRED I WILL GLADLY GIVE IT TO THE CHOPPER PILOT FOR WHAT HE DID FOR HIS FALLEN BROTHER.
Thank you for your service to our country! I agree with your comments.
Praying for your protection as you continue to do your assignment and stay strong in the difficulty of it! Be safe and come home soon.
Be proud of who you are and how hard you've had to work to get there! We're grateful for the countless ways you've sacrificed for us and we will continue to pray for you and your fellow-warriors.
God bless and keep you!
It is just to bad that these heros give their lives but there comrades in arms give up thier right to vote in some places because the liberals want to win so bad
Dear Mr David Guttenfelder thank you so much for taking these tasteful/sensitive pictures and sharing them with us. It must have been very hard. God bless our servicemen and women watch over them, give them strength and guide them, take care of them.
MR.DAVID GUTTENFELDER----very,very well done with respect sir! thank you for your help and respect to our brothers.
SEMPER FI
retired sgt
This story is not about draft dodgers or vietmnam. This story is about these brave volunteers who risk their lives every day in the deserts of Afghanistan for your freedom. These men have families who put their lives on hold for months and years waiting and praying for their loved ones to return. They are those who you pass while walking your dog or shopping at the grocery store. The men who fly on the Air Force's Combat Search and Rescue helicopters are no joke. The PJs and Fight Crew of this helicopter have experienced some of the most horrific things imaginable and yet they continue their job, so "that others may live". I know first hand that these guys pick up just about anyone over there while at risk of being shot down by the enemy (as one of their birds was this summer).
I can tell you Sunshine, that these boys are not brainwashed to kill those who are against the USA. They are specially trained to defend the United States of America against all threats foreign and domestic. They are in Afghanistan to take care of the guys that are actively planning to do harm to our country. It's disturbing that you would bless the world and wonder why we grieve for the families of these brave Americans. They fight and die so that you can rant like a coward on a open forum. If my husband's helicopter were to be shot down in Afghanistan tonight as I sleep, me and my children would know that he died a hero doing what he loved...saving lives.
The only threat to the U.S. is the U.S.! A soldier has never done anything for me or my family...thats great if your husband died tonight you and your children bla bla bla...however, the truth is your husband is no more of a hero than anyone else in this world, he chose to fight...he knows the consequences of his actions...he applied for the position, he has to do the work...like millions of people in this world. You need to read up on your history and acknowledge the millions of innocent people that have died at the hands of the U.S., your husband is part of that and I'm suppose to label him a hero, your ignorance is disgusting, I guess thats why you're at home and your husband is working. Without their ugly green uniforms, badges and guns these men are cowards, plagued by one of many negative incidents from childhood they're drafted by the largest gang in the world!
Sunshine~ What a hateful life you have.
hey sunshine,,,,,,,,screw you,and your family is probablyon welfare sucking off the taxpayers .if you dont like it move to mexico .........
These men are far from cowards. What separates them from you is that they have a backbone. If you are so selfish to say that no soldier has ever done anything for you or your family I would say that YOU need to brush up on your history my dear. To associate these men that Mr.Guttenfelder has reported on with those in the past whose actions have been less than honorable is ignorance as is assuming they only decided to serve becuase of a troubled childhood. It's also somewhat laughable that you assume that I sit ildy by at home while my husband is fighting the war. I work very hard as an RN thank you. You are entitled to your opinion, as am I. Thank God that we live in a country where we are free to live and think as we wish. I thank God that brave men and women years and years ago gave their lives so that we can have those freedoms...and argue here on this forum : )
Sunshine i would call you a tool, but tools are useful...
dont like it here, go to china and have your say, and after you do see ya... your shot .... so suck that you POS... turds like you, hmmmm face me one on one and i will rip u a new face, This former Seal and any of my Brothers would more than be happy to show you an exit from life...."5"
Brothers in arms, are we, stay true to the faith, we will, together we stand forever all, never alone will we fall.Stand for what we believe and defend for those that can not. Despair we see so that others will not
.Truth, Honor,Alliance, Botherhood...we all stand so you may NOT fall...
sunshine--come to vegas,i will show u who is a coward!
SEMPER FI
USMC
Rarely does a story move a grown man to tears as this one has
God help our troops and their families in these hardtimes and bless those that have true love of country
As the mother of a future Marine. My son will probably be in Iraq or Afghanistan in the next year, I'm extremely touched by these pictures and the article attached. I would hope to shout that any descent human being living in the United States of America would at least be respect of our men and women fighting all over the world for the US. It is their sacrifices that make it possible for people like "Curious" to have the right to voice their opinion in a forum like this.
Blood for Freedom, Thanks to all those who fight for us everyday so we have the right to live in peace.
Mean while our Politicians take life time pensions for sitting on their asses...
Do they sacrifice their lives? or Just our Freedom?
i love my country and all who protect her. enough is enough, bring our troops home!!!! why are they dieing?
save the money,
put it into our defense here
fix our economy, stop feeding the world, take care of ours first, lets build up the usa again.why do we help everyone else but ourselves....
stop our kids , husbands ,wife's, families dieing in far off lands.... obama bring them all home...please
o rah
o rah
72-93
my heart goes out to you all.
These pictures say more than any words could. Our son served in Iraq and Afghanistan with USAF Special Ops, Pararescue. His teammates are in Afghanistan now again and doing the type of work shown in these pictures. My deepest respect goes to all the military there, as a veteran myself and as a parent who knows what worry can be like.
As an old retired soldier, having served in combat in Vietnam a couple of times, it does my heart good to read the many supportive posts, that I found here. Our young soldiers really are the cream of the crop, the best this country has to offer. It is pleasing to me, to see that they are getting the respect, that they so richly deserve. Unfortunately, that was no so with the returning Vietnam era Vet who was so viciously maligned during, as well as after, the fighting was over. We took it on the chin, heads held high, but our hearts were sad. It was hard to understand (and we never will), and accept the shameless way we were treated when we returned home.
Worst of all, the rigors of war and the many horrendous things we experienced, left many of us with Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome Disease, commonly referred to as PTSDS. A disease so distructive, that many Vietnam Vets commited sucicide, just to be free from that black hell. Presently, I fear for our returning soldiers of this era, for there will be so many of them, that will endure the same as we did. They will suffer for many years, some will recover eventually, but many will not. It took me forty years to recover completely, but I made it and I am at peace once more.
I ask that you give our returning heros all the support that you can give, for they will need all the help they can get. "Never have so many, sacrificed so much, for so little, than our soldiers!"
May God bless you all!
Just an old soldier
I cry not only for every soldier lost....but the ones also there....and a very, very dear friend who is waiting for his tour. He made it through two tors in Iraq....and I hope returns safe from this one. They need to stop this and bring them all home!
To all veterans and current servicemen and woman... we love you
i was once a young hero in vietnam for 4 years,how and why i survived i cant tell you,but i did !!!! for45 years since my return,i cant sing the national anthem without breaking down and crying, or when i watch a war movie about vietnam i start crying,recently i went with my grandson to washington dc to visit my son and we went to arlington national cemetary,and i realized that after all the tears thru all the years,just how lucky i was to have the great honor to be a member of this exclusive club, not every tom ,dick or harry can qualify ! we heros are born with this patriotizem deep within our souls,we went to war ,for our country as our forefathers did, and as these heros are doing now,and future heros will be asked to do when thier time comes without question.. the draft dodgers have to live every day running from themselfs and what do they say to thier kids when asked what did you do in the war daddy? i presently have a son of my 1st marriage serving in iraq as a navy seal. and i pray every nite for his safe return to his wife and three daughters and mother... if not for these heros,we,d be just like mexico in turmoil
I want to thank every one of you that have either served, been by ones sides, mother, daughter, brother, son or father of a loved one enlisted or overseas and pray for any loses one may have had. As a proud military supporter myself, I have a Army brother overseas, a Army sister soon joining, 2 Marine cousins, an ex Army dad, ex Marine uncle and a US Air Force grandpa. I can greatly appreciate this country and our brave soldiers. These photos are just heat wrenching and have to check all ties to make sure the family is safe. My heart goes out to all the vets and soldiers and their family. Stay strong!!!
Someone did this for my brother a year ago. As hard as it is to see these pictures, it's good to know that someone took care of him just as these soldiers were cared for. God bless the families of the fallen.