Navy Pilots Who Rescued Victims Are Reprimanded

[PHX767]

Great job MUdkow60!

Basic military 101 - you did the right thing. Showed some initiative, saved a bunch of citizens, called home when you could and got tacit permission to keep going. What in the good lord's name is wrong with that?

Knowing the staff officer mind as I do: My guess is that somebody at the space center bitched up the line about not getting more supplies delivered. Presto bingo there you have it! "Commander Deskwarmer, where are those supplies for the space center bubbas?" " Uhh Admiral, the helo crews dropped one load and now they are rescuing folks down in New Orleans." "Dadgummit Deskwarmer, if you ever want to make O-6 you had better get those crews back to hauling supplies so NASA will stay off my back!" "Yessir, Sir!!" Brief pause - "UDKOW!!! Front and center!!"

Very similar to a case with our tanker guys a few years ago that saved an S-3 out by Diego Garcia. USAF wanted to give the crew Article 15's and the Navy wanted to decorate them!

God Bless,
PHX

P.S. MUdkow, you may want to start a new identity for posting in case the powers that be start getting their panties wadded up. I'm suggesting "Helo Stud"

 

[Falconjet]

Man, whatever happened to flying a cargo plane filled with rubber shiat out of Hong Kong?

Matt, you commited the unpardonable sin of being more heady than your boss, who (it appears) is one of those senior officers (notice I didn't say leader) in the military who are threatened and intimidated by subordinates who are sharper and sometimes more capable than they are. Unfortunately the military seems to breed that type of senior officer, and the exceptions are the ones you really hope you get the chance to work for.

Something that everyone contemplating military service should be aware of, and perhaps not that different from civilian life, except that those supervisors in the military can have a lot of influence on your life and you just can't quit your job in the military if those in charge go after you for some reason.

I'm sure there is some more to the story which maybe someday you can share, but on the surface it looks like you did the right thing and your bosses just can't handle someone junior to them showing some initiative and doing what needed to be done. Hold your head high and sleep well at night, you did yourself, your crew, and your service proud.

Good luck with the boss.

FJ

 

[Squanto]

You guys made the right call. Getting in trouble for doing the right thing. amazing..but I've been there. The BIG BOSS upstairs is your final authority anyway.

We need to put that Commander on a 120 degree roof and see if he has a change of heart. Joe Scarborough of MSNBC would eat this story up.

Keep us informed of any further developments...

You did the right thing I don't care what any %#&* desk monkey says.

-S

 

[ATR-DRIVR]

Mud,

I would be more than happy to call up said "CO" and tell him to either pack sand or get in the f-cking seat himself and do the job. Just let me know...

I and all other aviators salute you.

Oh, ask bozo if he would like to hear from the lucky and appreciative folks whom you expertly extricated.


Drinks on me in either ATL or PNS.

 

[sardaddy]

Great job,


It was busy out there. I have never seen and never again want to see anything like it again. You made a good decision and stuck to it. I will bet it wasn't the first ass chewin' you have ever gotten and I am sure that it was well worth it.

 

[mudkow60]

Thank you all. It is nice to hear all the support. I have never been so proud of my crew... they deserve all the praise.

 

[semperfido]

MUD,

Kudos, dittos, excellent job!....u sure you are not a marine?

S/F fido

 

[dtfl]

Like everyone else said - you did the right thing. The overall mission was to help these folks and you did. Hell, in AFSOC they'd give you a MEDAL!?! I thought the Navy was more laid back than us AF types!?!?!?
I tell you what...if they threaten to downgrade you I'd send this one to Cavuto. ;-)

 

[Weasel Keeper]

Thank you all. It is nice to hear all the support. I have never been so proud of my crew... they deserve all the praise.

Make sure to let your crew know they are all congratulated at least in this forum! SH sir!

 

[resqav8r]

Good Job Guys, we're doing the alert at OEF but have assets in New Orleans and just want to thank everyone that'll risk their ass to save others. Those young fast burners in charge are to busy punchin' tickets to understand the mish ... wish they could just learn to back their crews.

 

[Workin'Stiff]

Great work mudkow! Both to you and your crew. No matter what shat comes down the pipe towards you, those people you guys saved will be around due to the two H-3's that did a killer job!

 

[Vector4fun]

From Today's White House Press Briefing...

Mudkow, don't know if you heard this from today's Press Briefing:



Great Job to you and your crew!









Q Scott, The New York Times reports that two Navy helicopter pilots who rescued 110 people, including two who are blind, have been reprimanded by a Navy commander because they were supposed to devote themselves entirely to supply. And my question: The Commander-in-Chief of the Navy will surely counter this reprimand with a presidential commendation, won't he?





MR. McCLELLAN: Les, let me check into it. I've seen some the stories, but there are chain of command issues involved here and there are some military rules in place that prohibit us from commenting on certain chain of command issues.

Q Follow-up. World Net Daily reports that despite the devastation and suffering by so many thousands in New Orleans, there was a homosexual parade called "southern decadence." Does the President believe this is tolerable or --

MR. McCLELLAN: I want to finish on the military. The military is doing an outstanding job in search and rescue and ongoing humanitarian efforts, and we're greatly appreciative of the many men and women in the region, from the National Guard to reserve to active duty --

Q Including the ones that saved the 110 people? MR. McCLELLAN: -- who are helping, and we're greatly appreciative of the efforts they have undertaken to save lives. There have been a number of lives that have been saved because of our Coast Guard, because of our military and others on the ground in the region that have been involved in those efforts.

 

[eagle1983]

I could care less what your superiors think in my opinion your mission was complete and you did your country a favor saving those people. If they can't recognize that than I would be very concerned aout the leadership of our Navy today.

And I extend my congratulations to you and your crew for what you thought was right.

 

[wrxpilot]

MSNBC just picked the story up too - As one of the worst response moments by the government. A lot of people are PISSED that this happened to you and your crew Mudkow, and it looks like the ball is rolling. Thank god there are people like you left who can critically think and make decisions.

 

[Bjammin]

Just saw the story on CNN. Your 15 mins of fame are here and you deserve any benifits that will come of it, great job!

Man, whatever happened to flying a cargo plane filled with rubber shiat out of Hong Kong? FJ

Hey, I resemble that remark.