Aircraft Crash on Robert's Ridge | 160th Night Stalker | MH-47 Chinook Combat Aviator

Aircraft Crash on Robert's Ridge | 160th Night Stalker | MH-47 Chinook Combat Aviator | Alan Mack

Рет қаралды 108,604

Күн бұрын

Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more!
Today we hear the Combat Story of a long time aviator and CH-47 and MH-47 pilot who spent years with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR), Alan Mack. Alan served over 35 years in the Army and retired with 6700 flight hours, including 3200 hours in NVGs. Alan survived an aircraft shootdown and multiple near death experiences in his time in uniform.
He was a part of iconic operations including Desert Shield and Desert Storm, Operations Anaconda and Redwings, and many others he can’t discuss because they remain classified. He has two Distinguished Flying Crosses, three Bronze Stars, a Legion of Merit, and 10 Air Medals, including one with Valor.
His nickname was The ‘Stache which is almost a requirement for an aviator but sadly that mustache is now gone but I have confirmed with my old flight school roommate who served with Alan that the nickname was indeed, The Stache!
Alan’s book “Razor 03: A Night Stalker’s Wars” chronicles so much more of his experiences in the elite special operations community for those who are left wanting more, to include some of the more personal and challenging family dynamics he experienced with years in combat.
I hope you enjoy this perspective from the inside the cockpit where we dive deep into some of the aviation psychology, personalities, and Chinook configurations, as much as I did.
Find Alan Online:
- Twitter @AlanCMack2015 / alancmack2015
- Website alancmack.com/
- Facebook / alancmackauthor
Find Ryan Online:
- Ryan’s Linktree linktr.ee/combatstory
- Merch www.bonfire.com/store/combats...
- Instagram @combatstory / combatstory
- Facebook @combatstoryofficial combatstoryofficial
- Send us messages at m.me/combatstoryofficial
- Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus
- Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle
Show Notes:
0:00 - Intro
0:55 - Guest Introduction (Alan Mack)
2:22 - Interview Begins
3:02 - Razor 03 A Night Stalkers War
4:10 - Bumper Hitching
7:26 - Enlistment
11:35 - Path to Chinooks
14:37 - WOJG
16:58 - Chinook Pilot Personality
20:51 - Loading the Chinook
24:54 - The Composition of the Chinook
33:40 - Right Ramp Left Ramp
38:51 - The Crew Chiefs
43:48- Sending Apache Guys
45:26 - First time flying in combat
55:00 - We own the night
01:02:59 - Eras of war
01:09:40 - Alan's Teaching Days
01:23:01 - The Anaconda
01:59:48 - The Aftermath
02:04:35 - What did you carry into combat?
02:07:01 - Would you do it all again?
02:11:29 - Razor 03 A Night Stalkers War
02:13:36 - Listeners comments and shout outs

Пікірлер: 222

@KarmaFlight Жыл бұрын

DUSTOFF pilot checking in. This brought back many memories. Orange flight 91-01

@moparmike2535 Жыл бұрын

Just texted my cousin about this video. He was Alan's instructor in flight school and in the 160th. How cool is that!!! Clark Brown is his name.

@lancet.346 Жыл бұрын

These 160th guys always seem like the coolest dudes on the block.

@sapperveteran245 10 ай бұрын

They are.

@rustybaldwin4851 8 ай бұрын

Yes Sir they are !

@av8tore71 Жыл бұрын

Mr. Mack has that CW4 look from my experience in the Army. I have gotten a lot of rides in Kuwait & Iraq in the Blackhawk & Chinook. His demeanor his look and the way he has his ball cap is classic. He even seems very down to earth and approachable

@ClintonCaraway Жыл бұрын

I've read both "Not a Good Day to Die" and also "Alone at Dawn "!! Alan Mack is a true American hero. The fact two of his "customers" would be awarded The Congressional Metal of Honor says it best...they wouldn't have gotten the opportunity if it weren't for this American Hero delivering them.

@andywagoner4869 4 ай бұрын

I have read both of those also, I am just finishing up The Battle of Roberts Ridge. Also very good

@tfred2129 Жыл бұрын

My first platoon sergeant was a team leader on Robert's Ridge. This will be interesting to hear, I know his opinion on the events of that morning.

@TKE644 Жыл бұрын

Care to share his opinion? Also, what did you think after watching this and having a personal connection to someone who was there?

@tfred2129 Жыл бұрын

@TKE644 That the seal team failed them. On several fronts. Along with the command. They failed to do the basics and then realized that they were in over their head. As a special ope team they didn't uphold the standard that is expected. As a leader, I understand not wanting to lose more men, but as a Ranger, we have would either gotten him or all died that morning. It's bred into us since our beginning. You do not leave a fallen comrade, under any circumstances. And this is not me being a armchair quarterback, this is my professional opinion.

@trumanmiller94 Жыл бұрын

@@tfred2129 i always believed that the seals giving slablinski the MOH was a slap in the face to all the other heroes that day that saved their ass

@tfred2129 Жыл бұрын

@Truman Miller 1st batt did more than all the other units combined and lost 3 men in the process.It's absolutely disgusting. They will have to live with it the rest of their lives. You can watch any interview with the seals, and see the guilt and regret on their faces.

@kxkxkxkx Жыл бұрын

@@trumanmiller94 Britt Slabinski was given the Medal of Honor by Trump for calling artillery on his own Combat Controller and leaving two of his own men dead in order to save himself LOL

@Mosey410 Жыл бұрын

I remember reading about his flight at takur gar and how his crew chief manually pumped hydraulic fluid into the chopper . Incredible operating and cool under pressure. Excellent interview. Could listen to him for hours .

@jasonjavelin Жыл бұрын

I read Roberts Ridge when I was a lot younger and it was wild to see the story put in a Medal Of Honor game when I was a little older and all this time later actually hear it from the guy flying there when I’m an adult. Truly awesome interview and we are lucky to be have this so accessible.

@tonykeast9966 Жыл бұрын

Loved this from start to finish. In the previous 160th chopper pilot interview (Steve Lapping) I commented that I wanted to hear more technical info on the various aircraft he'd piloted. Explanation to the load outs and performance and mission roles, gently more technical but oh still keeping it so interesting... this latest podcast contained EXACTLY the right amount of that! It was excellent. 10/10. His time on the tools before grabbing the stick are why he can manage to translate the geeky stuff for us and make it understandable and entertaining. Bravo.

@user-wf5xe3jk8o Жыл бұрын

Great interview. I was in flight school the same time as Alan, also in the CH-47 AQC class after his. He went to Savannah, I went to Campbell. We both ended up at King Fahd in Saudi. Both in Afghanisntan many times. Have so many mutual friends in the Chinook community I'm sure our paths crossed at some point. The book is a must read, I couldn't put it down. Thanks for not only sharing the good but also the bad and letting people know it's OK to ask for help.

@11bravo1789 10 ай бұрын

As an Infantryman (OIF in 05-06). I always loved seeing our birds over head. I dont care what it was. Apache. Chinook. Jets. Whatever. The birds give an infantryman a warm and fuzzy

@jonsmallwood1657 Жыл бұрын

Wow, so much respect 🫡 for the 160th. We didn’t even get to Redwings. We need a part 2 please.

@penrodautorepair3170 Жыл бұрын

I got to serve with both Alan an Andrew Mack at SOAR. Went through AIT an EGP with Andrew. Great people. I miss the regiment an both of these men.

@thedreamteam4u Жыл бұрын

NSDQ

@robmills7611 8 ай бұрын

👍👍🇺🇸

@xprettylightsx 7 ай бұрын

What an amazing individual you must be to make it and succeed with those men in that area of the Army. I can’t even explain how much I look up to people people like you you’re an American hero in my eye. Thank you for your service and sacrifice to our beautiful country the United States of America, the best country in the world. May God bless you and your family.

@danielsummey4144 Жыл бұрын

This was the best interview you’ve done. I could have listened to this for 12 hours.

@davidgann3251 Жыл бұрын

Ryan, this brought back memories of FOB Salerno. I got a little over 200hrs of flight time in 47s that year. I loved flying in Chinooks doing the ring route and insertion missions. We even flew over Takur Ghar a couple of times. I got to see more of the AO on that deployment than any other. Lots of good memories with some good folks! Great interview! ENM

@MartsEntertainment 5 ай бұрын

“I’m still not thinking this is so bad, other than we might not survive.”

@clintxxxracerx9435 Жыл бұрын

What you and Shaun Ryan are doing, is absolutely phenomenal! Y’all should get a CMH for giving these GREAT HEROES a platform to tell these stories and vent! You’re bringing the Civilians into what is like inside the deep shit! Also, you’re 43:44 allowing these HEROES AN AVENUE TO VENT AND AN AUDIENCE THAT ACTUALLY WANTS TO HEAR THEM! Especially, since the GMT has forgotten them!

@6172crew1 Жыл бұрын

As a CH46 crew chief I enjoyed the CW05’s story. I saw one of the 160th 47 and it was massive compared to our sea knight. Thanks for sharing. I’ll see about grabbing his book. SF

@mvubu6823 Жыл бұрын

Easily the best conversations on the interwebs Thanks Ryan and your guests for being so engaging

@manhalen7046 Жыл бұрын

I think i went to air assualt school with the seal guy turned 160th warrant officer. If he went to aaslt school at Campbell around the 1999 timeframe then that was probably him. Everyone in the class was confused why an army WO had a budweiser patch on his bdu's. He wasnt a big guy and didnt look like the prototypical teams guy, he was pretty short, kinda stocky, looked like a lawyer. But he deff seemed like a sharp guy. Very cool.

@dickiebrewer1232 Жыл бұрын

I ran out to get this book and am nearly halfway through it. I can't hardly put it down. Mack is freaking superhero. All the MH pilots are amazing.

@seanmckenna8829 Жыл бұрын

There is a brook written by a 160th MH-47 crew chief that talks all about that role. Making A Night Stalker by David Burnett

@stephenbabine3325 Жыл бұрын

I could listen to the two of you talk all day! He has a great way about him and like all these guys, is so humble. I was hoping to hear him share his experience with in flight refueling, especially under NVGs and what that is like. Guess I’ll need to get his book to see if he gets into that at all. Having flown 60s in a medevac unit during DS & DS (we self deployed out of Germany), his comments of AC clipping sand dunes brought back memories…….

@DEXImagingCopyCenter-nj5nc 7 ай бұрын

Riveting interview. That's the most comprehensive perspective of the Takar Gar/ Robert's Ridge events I've heard. Coming-from a 160th pilot that was central to the events, it was a different view. Not sure how/if he was honored - Citation wise - but did some heroic stuff. God Bless him

@joesgotya9930 Жыл бұрын

This is awesome. Roberts Ridge has been told almost exclusively by the Operators and Rangers on the ground, but we never really got to hear the POV from the 160th pilots and crew that supported these operations. Everyone wants to be a sexy, gunfighter but without the 160th, they don’t have a job

@sleepingninjaquiettime Жыл бұрын

I wouldn't say they would be out of a job without them, but everyone appreciates a ride especially when most others aren't willing to take them to the places they need to go.

@joesgotya9930 Жыл бұрын

@@sleepingninjaquiettime They would be out of a job lol. These pilots can identify a small 1 story house in a urban community of thousands of other houses, “at night” land on the roof while taking fire and repeat the process 12 times a night. This was just a typical nights work in Iraq 2005-08. That capability in direct action and hostage rescue mission sets is monumental beyond comprehension, and there’s only a few rotary wing pilots in the world that can do that.

@briand3030 Жыл бұрын

Please Please do a part 2...and maybe 3 with the "Stashe" Legend. Also need an audible of Razor 03! Maybe you could read it Ryan. Best voice/interview skills in the business.

@shawnp6653 Жыл бұрын

Great interview. Love seeing the Chinooks occasional fly over the house - nice to learn a bit more. Thanks for your service Alan.

@charlieghague 2 ай бұрын

My uncle flew with Al in the 160th. This guy is a straight up legend of the game. Legend!

@dangielfrauk8484 Ай бұрын

160th are so cool. Doubt ill ever get over it

@midwestdevopunk8848 Жыл бұрын

Fantastic interviewer, great conversation/stories, wonderfully organized and timestamped. Can't remember the last time I've enjoyed a podcast this much

@chrisculley3756 Жыл бұрын

Dude I keep saying this every freaking time I don't know how you do it but you continue to get the best dudes on here. This is the best combat related podcast of listen to and I've listened to a few. But I've got to say this man I always loved it when those black Chinooks would be on Airfield cuz you knew you were flying with. Did a bunch of good training with them up at Fort Campbell as well just amazing amazing Pilots. They can put those things anywhere they want to. I still think one of the best military books I've ever red was the 160th night stalkers book it was just awesome. RLTW 3/75

@brandonlanier4699 2 ай бұрын

God Bless You Guys! The absolute Best! Never Forgotten! Words can’t describe the level of Bravery and Courage! 🇺🇸🇺🇸

@joeottsoulbikes415 Жыл бұрын

This Marine thanks you for all you have done in your career sir. Thank you for the help your books have provided to others. Thank you for being a legend in the Chinook airframe.

@timkelly2952 Жыл бұрын

What an amazing combat story. Thank you.

@pinnacledivingco Жыл бұрын

This was an outstanding episode. Mack's career story is great to hear.

@BennyAndTheJets86 Жыл бұрын

Love hearing stories from these 160th guys!

@jk-76 Жыл бұрын

I just sat through the whole interview. Fantastic stories. I am getting the book.

@coltonsmither9874 Жыл бұрын

Pretty cool timing to have this. I just finished reading this book a couple weeks ago. Amazing book. Can’t wait to hear the man in his own voice.

@jeffe5367 Жыл бұрын

One of the best podcasts I've heard in a long time. Outstanding work.

@denniscasey986 Жыл бұрын

WOW! what an interview!

@TedArchbold-ih3tc Жыл бұрын

Again another awesome interview.

@PBAR_B1B Жыл бұрын

Awesome podcast! Thanks for capturing these stories!

@gunsnsails Жыл бұрын

Seriously enjoyed hearing (watching) this interview. Thanks Ryan!

@littlebits6231 Жыл бұрын

Another great episode! So cool to hear an aviator's perspective on the battle of Takur Ghar. Keep the pilot interviews coming!

@briankimmell7960 9 ай бұрын

Respect. Thank you gentleman. What an awesome interview. This chanel is fantastic.

@michaelogden5958 Жыл бұрын

Super interview. Thank you for your service, Alan Mack!

@degree33 Жыл бұрын

Great interview, so detailed and probably the best combat story

@stephencarroll4942 Жыл бұрын

As we are one of your closest allies I respect that you treat your fallen the way I do I'm Australian

@deepbludude4697 Жыл бұрын

Great upload thanks!

@combatmedic5136 Жыл бұрын

Excellent interview....

@Marks-Law Жыл бұрын

Just ordered the book. For my dad. Thanks to both of you for coming together with such talent makes the show super easy.

@alistairbuckle3450 Жыл бұрын

This is one of the more interesting conversations I have ever heard! I could listen to these great stories for hours because of the detailed honesty and expertise. What a great interview - thank you!

@johnnydough6244 Жыл бұрын

Amazing interview. Very much appreciated this one and will now have to run out and get a copy of his book. Keep up the great job in delivering these first hand accounts from the men who selflessly served this Great Nation. God bless, Amen.

@karlchilders5420 Жыл бұрын

The voice in the Hornet was Leslie Shook. Long time employee at McDonnell/Douglas then Boeing (after the collision, er, merger with Boeing). She is awesome, real nice lady and that voice is very unique and recognizable in the hallways where she worked.

@squatch2461 7 ай бұрын

Good on ya sharing the hard part and cost. Many of the young guys listen, and hopefully some of them will have a better time for it.

@kevd3046 Жыл бұрын

Great interview..really nice down to earth bloke..respect from Durham England 🇬🇧✌️

@dioncrown5966 Жыл бұрын

"Back then, we didn't 'own the night'. We kind of rented it"

@gregkinser8250 Жыл бұрын

Love your content! Please continue.

@1skyofrog Жыл бұрын

Best ride share to work ever! Fmr- 3/75

@deedubs602 Жыл бұрын

Awesome episode

@JB-wv9jo Жыл бұрын

I’ve always been fascinated by this battle, this was such a great episode and this pilot was amazing proud of our service men and women!!

@mitchjohnson9240 11 ай бұрын

My stick buddy from flight school ended up in the 160th flying the MH-47. CW3 John Quinlan was his name. He was a great guy. One of the best men I have known. He was killed in Afghanistan in 2007. My family and I were devastated when we heard the news.

@drmarkintexas-400 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing 🇺🇲🤗🙏

@tedzehnder961 Жыл бұрын

This guy tells a great story, was entertaining and had to be an asset for America. Best one yet.

@rox6385 Жыл бұрын

Superb throughout! Press on!

@greggb1416 Жыл бұрын

Holy cow..! I am way late to listening to this., but what an awesome interview..! Thank you sir.

@tacoenvy Жыл бұрын

Man this was an awesome episode, definitely going to order Alan's book.

@97VobraOwner Жыл бұрын

Ryan!!! Another Gem!!

@Delatta1961 Жыл бұрын

Great interview. Hey Alan, give my best to Don Tabron if you ever talk to him. We were TACs at OZR in 87-89

@christophersapp8205 Жыл бұрын

I'm pretty sure there are a few episodes I haven't been able to find but I've otherwise watched every episode. This is 100% my favorite one. I wish I could articulate why exactly but this was such a captivating and fascinating story. I'd love to hear more.

@03055demery Жыл бұрын

This was by far the best interview. Being from NH myself, I did my share of bumper hitching back in the day. I’ve throughly been enthralled with these interviews. What these men and women have done is amazing. Having been deployed to the Middle East 3x doing convoy security, I never experienced any combat. Either something happened right before or right after I went through the area. Even though I thankfully never experienced combat, a part of me wish I did. Especially since I started my career as an infantryman. Keep up the good work Ryan.

@rmurry6169 Жыл бұрын

We called it 'Hooky Bobbing" back in Montana. It was a common practice along with sledding. I'm not sure kids do it much anymore because of modern car bumpers.

@walthampton6700 Жыл бұрын

Still the best channel on YT. The sheer volume of guests is unbelievable. Thank you for your service and all your hard word.

@reynaldoblanco2588 Жыл бұрын

Enjoyed.

@MartsEntertainment 5 ай бұрын

This is an exquisite interview and I love that you’re doing the interviews face forward now and showing images of the different birds he’s referring too, it just makes the channel top notch. I have a. friend who’s a green beret and has done some pretty amazing things named Greg Garmut, it would be incredible if you could get his story. He had a really rough childhood and then went into the Rangers then went to Panama, Kosovo, and a bunch of fascinating ops. I love this channel. I’d love to learn about some of the special companies during WWII, our grandfather was in some unit that was highly secretive and we’ve still struggled to uncover what he did. Kenneth Narrod.

@jackb4868 Жыл бұрын

Have always loved this story. Happy to hear from the pilot. Can't wait for the movie about Chapman.

@rondarnell2739 9 ай бұрын

Your last two interviews with helo operators were amazing. I’m listening while driving to Texas. Keep up the fantastic videos.

@wildbill60 Жыл бұрын

Great story and that crew chief awesome

@keithphaneuf9146 Жыл бұрын

I really enjoyed this video . Keep them coming. :-)

@MsEnzoh 10 ай бұрын

OUT F’N STANDING . I’m a squid , non aviator retired , but I have been in some ‘hairy’ situations that will give you a pucker factor in the high double digits , so I can understand the stresses being related here !

@kenbording4746 Жыл бұрын

Really enjoyed Alan Mack’s career and story - what a humble Warrior!: Ken B. CW5 (Ret), UH-1 (IP/IFE) CH-47, OH-6 (IP), UH-60 (IP/IFE), AH-64

@bikenavbm1229 Жыл бұрын

thanks for your words

@kCI251 Жыл бұрын

Nobody talks abot that time in 1983, Greneda when regular US Marines rescued the Seal Team at the Governer Generals home.

@carlpreller5785 Жыл бұрын

Fantastic Interview. Best interview to date. Globally people should appreciate the sacrifice from the American people more as their service benefits us all.

@dustyrhodes1655 Жыл бұрын

Alan is a living legend.

@mfcobb1 8 ай бұрын

RIP AT1 EWOP/Navy SEAL Neil Roberts. You will never be forgotten by your brothers and sisters of VQ-1.

@robmills7611 8 ай бұрын

I bumper hitched all the time during my teens back in the early and mid seventies! We called it bungeeing. Lotta fun! 😂

@petermccuskey1832 Жыл бұрын

Thank you Sir for protecting our children on the ground.

@charlesmullins3238 Жыл бұрын

Bout 96 dad bought me a 91 s10 Durango 4x4 4.3 and one thing I’ll never forget is 8 of us piled in 12/1oclock at night snow flyin and 5 of em in the bed 1 braved a cut piece of trampoline padding as a snowboard and started surfing of the tailgate…went great till he worked his way up to my drivers side window bout 30/40mph and found a seam….we had went to a strip mine to sled off 800’ reclaimed highwalls….after I done a test run on a smaller one and nearly died we drove to the 1 we called high knob from 4 wheelin and stared up like…ain’t no way….guaranteed if you stayed on you’d probably break 100mph but morn likely wreck beforehand if you were lucky…wish I’d took a path to nighstalkers,ranger reg..love all you men

@seantbr2019 Жыл бұрын

I like hearing the stories about operation anaconda and the early years of the stan i was there in 2012 im def buying this book

@joetaylor9998 Жыл бұрын

Soon as you start talking I knew you was from the mighty Hercules... Was so lucky to be part of that unit for 2 years.... Although before that in Europe and in the desert I got major love for Big Windy....... I haven't listened to the rest of this yet but I know he's getting ready to talk about ....... All the names come back to me now from deployments...... Chris, cory, dennis, jerome, lance, spike,......JJ Kim, Angie.......... good times, great people.

@dave_h_8742 Жыл бұрын

Excellent content, listened with interest as a Brit I've only heard story's of our Chinook pilots and their interesting encounters with hostile forces.

@zdenekoldrichmarek2867 Жыл бұрын

In Manhiem they had the Flight simulator for Chinooks ! Colman barracks by the Autobahn there,

@snakesvt Жыл бұрын

Looking at the patches from the thumbnail. I’m guessing after the 160th he went to ATO/Flight concepts devision “the Virginia boys”.

@everking3767 Жыл бұрын

Just read "Alone at Dawn" so it is great to hear CW5 Mack's perspective of Razor-03. It is also interesting how so many of these Tier 1 SOF guys answer the last question the same: "I'd do it all again but I'd make more time for my family."

@johnh.nickels3832 Жыл бұрын

In NE IL we called it skitching. A lot of fun on rough brick streets

@theflyingkiwi4803 11 ай бұрын

Great interview! I’ve read Alan’s book - Razor 03 - amazing book, highly recommended!👍

@reggierico Жыл бұрын

Our squadron did a five ship formation from Hurlburt Field to King Fahd in Saudi Arabia in August of 1990. We got there late at night and when we went down to the flight line the next day, I was blown away by the number of helicopters on the huge ramp there. A guy told me there was over 600 helicopters there!

@shermrock345 5 ай бұрын

A Mack is a legend of a pilot dude. You should hear how other pilots talk about him. Matter of fact I was watching another podcast and the guy kept saying A Mack this, A Mack lol. Like how he would fly pedal to the medal lead aircraft into the clouds at night climbing over a mountain range with who knows how many helicopters behind him trying to follow him and stay in formation 😂. So when I seen you did a podcast with him him I had to listen to immediately 😊. Good stuff man, good episode.

@f82dot Жыл бұрын

This was amazing from beginning to end! It had me hooked and I did not shut it off until it ended!! I love every interviewee you have but man, The Stache was just incredible. Thank you both for giving us such a GREAT interview. Keep up the great work Sir!

@dwainpannell5208 Жыл бұрын

Hey, I know Mr Mack and Mr Kools. Good to see ya. RIP Maj Rossi, Mr Hughes, Garrett, and Brace.

@geoffsmith76 Жыл бұрын

Lol I was on the Duluth with Rutledge in 98 when he was a Seal attached to our Marine unit. Northcutt… Spicer were the others I remember. Mad respect for all these folks!