Although it's not clear what missile system actually hit them but there were several things felt wrong with this helo extraction and probably all of them. First it was already standard practice since probably before 2003 for helicopter insertions and extractions to have airborne assets, in this case the ISR drone and/or second helo to run overwatch while the troop carriers land, especially during a hot LZ but even in 'cold' ones. The ISR drone with it's thermal certainly could've spotted any vehicle system so most likely it would be a man portable version.
Secondly, you saw the video showing pilot countermeasures for the missile launch. But then all he does is fly in a straight line and then launches flares when you clearly see him move the collective down. Normally that would've lowered the helo's altitude while maintaining a level angle of attack or pitch though I think normally, his crew chief or co pilot would've called out which way the missile was coming and tell him to turn into it by saying break left or right. You see the pilot turn his head to the left but he wouldn't have been able to see it from that angle and should've looked out his side instead and asked if anyone had eyes on it- which they would've if the one of the crew spotted it and called it out on intercom.
Thirdly, considering that they were all SEAL team the death of their fellow brother in arms should've at least cause some sort of reaction out of Master Chief Hayes. That's not including the part where he injects 3 syrettes of morphine for the hell of it but I get it- more drama if he's concussed and also so doped he wouldn't have even been able to walk
Review by yngtadpoleBlockedParentSpoilers2020-04-03T05:59:44Z
Although it's not clear what missile system actually hit them but there were several things felt wrong with this helo extraction and probably all of them. First it was already standard practice since probably before 2003 for helicopter insertions and extractions to have airborne assets, in this case the ISR drone and/or second helo to run overwatch while the troop carriers land, especially during a hot LZ but even in 'cold' ones. The ISR drone with it's thermal certainly could've spotted any vehicle system so most likely it would be a man portable version.
Secondly, you saw the video showing pilot countermeasures for the missile launch. But then all he does is fly in a straight line and then launches flares when you clearly see him move the collective down. Normally that would've lowered the helo's altitude while maintaining a level angle of attack or pitch though I think normally, his crew chief or co pilot would've called out which way the missile was coming and tell him to turn into it by saying break left or right. You see the pilot turn his head to the left but he wouldn't have been able to see it from that angle and should've looked out his side instead and asked if anyone had eyes on it- which they would've if the one of the crew spotted it and called it out on intercom.
Thirdly, considering that they were all SEAL team the death of their fellow brother in arms should've at least cause some sort of reaction out of Master Chief Hayes. That's not including the part where he injects 3 syrettes of morphine for the hell of it but I get it- more drama if he's concussed and also so doped he wouldn't have even been able to walk