Pilot Shot in Face, Lands Helicopter Safely

A British military pilot managed to get twenty passengers to the ground despite a bullet between his eyes. Flight Lieutenant Ian Fortune was ferrying the wounded from a battle between American troops and the Taliban in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. As he was taking off with a full load of casualties, a bullet ricocheted through the helicopter and struck Fortune in the face.

Further rounds then struck the helicopter's automatic stabilisation system, shutting it down and making it extremely difficult to fly.

Despite blood streaming into his eyes, Flight Lt Fortune battled with the controls for eight minutes and managed to get the casualties back to Camp Bastion.

TV Presenter Mike Brewer was on the helicopter when the incident happened. He told Sky News:

"It was terrifying. We came under fire just as the ramp was closing. Then just after we'd taken off the Chinook suddenly lurched from side to side and we heard the pilot had been shot.

"The only reason we didn't plunge straight back into the desert was because of the sheer bravery and skill of Ian and the rest of the crew. They're all heroes."

Lt. Fortune is expected to recover from his injuries. http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Chinoook-Pilot-Shot-Between-The-Eyes-Manages-To-Fly-Casualties-To-Safety-Ian-Fortune-Afghanistan/Article/201003115567655?lpos=World_News_News_Your_Way_Region_8&lid=NewsYourWay_ARTICLE_15567655_Chinoook_Pilot_Shot_Between_The_Eyes_Manages_To_Fly_Casualties_To_Safety%3A_Ian_Fortune_Afghanistan -via Fark

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Sure I give him all the credit he deserves. But If it had happened to me that I got a bullet between my eyes under such circumstances and I would live to to tell AND I could keep on going all at the same time- I would thank my personal guardian angel on my bare knees. And If I were one of the passengers on that ride, I'd thank tany help for somehow miraculously not having killed the guy who got the bullet between his eyes. - Usually that does kill.

That's all.

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Guardian Angel? Come on, give him the credit he's due.

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Some Guardian Angel is sitting aside completely exhausted and finished and he or she definitely has earned its wings to heaven...

And that pilot hase done his part for the rest of his life- After such a feat, he can retire for his next severeal lives...

Respect. Deep respect.