This is Jockel Podcast number 312 with Echo Charles and me, Jockel Willink.

Good evening, Echo. Good evening.

Something slammed into my helicopter. We didn't know what it was or where it had

impacted but the heel-o-bucked hard like a small sports car going over a

large speed bump. We'd been passing by the Olympic hotel for the third time

doing 50 knots at about 75 feet when an RPG round rocketed into the tail

section. But that was 35 feet behind me. The aircraft was 18,000 pounds of metal

muscle and it certainly wasn't coming apart. At least not yet. I looked

quietly, I looked quickly around the cockpit while Ray did the same, both of

us testing the controls and checking the gauges. Everything was in the green.

No flight control problems, engine malfunctions or weird noises. No one in my

bird said a word. And then, Super 6 4, your hit bad. It was Matthews up in the

C2 bird. You better put it on the ground. From his position high over the

battle, he had seen the rocket impact just below my tail, raking pieces away

and pin wheels as it detonated. No shit, I thought, as I rolled out of the

turn, just ahead, maybe a mile off was what appeared to be a clear area.

Certainly large enough to land a black hawk. But the aircraft seemed to be

flying normally and I was facing the decision to crash in the middle of a

firefight or fly just two more miles to the safety of the airfield. I didn't

hesitate or discuss it with anyone. It was my decision to make. We'd go for the

field. Still, I kept my eye on that midway point. It sort of looked like a city

park, which was what it had been long ago when the place was prosperous. Now as

...