TheyCallMeTheDoc
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10849
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This is Lt. prokhorenko. Recently he died fighting IS on the ground inside Syria. Completely surrounded by fighters and the sole surviving man of his team he called an airstrike directly on top of him to go out killing as many IS members as he possibly could as surrendering wasn't an option.
I am not a Russian. I am a member of the American Military. Yet I know valor, courage, and professionalism wear many uniforms. This man could have been our enemy yesterday or tomorrow but right now as soldiers we must respect the valor shown as a soldier himself on the battlefield. Tonight we will raise a drink in his honor.
LT. Prokhorenko was inside Syria identifying IS strong holds and calling air on IS persons and equipment.
Below is the final communication traffic between the LT and his command.
Prokhorenko : command I am compromised, I repeat I am compromised.
Command: Please say again and confirm.
Prokhorenko : They have spotted me, there are shooting everywhere, I am pinned, requesting immediate extraction.
Command: Extraction request acknowledged.
Prokhorenko : Please hurry I am low on ammo, they seem to [be]everywhere, I can’t hold them for too long please hurry.
Command: Confirmed, hold them off, continue returning fire, retreat to a safe position, air support is monitoring, state your coordinates
Prokhorenko : [gives coordinates which are blurred in the transcript]
Command: [command repeats coordinates which are blurred.]Confirm
Prokhorenko : Confirmed, please hurry I am low on ammo, they are surroundig me, bastards!
Command: ETA on evacuation 12 minutes, return to the green line, I repeat return to the green line.
Prokhorenko : They are close, I am surrounded, this may be the end, tell my family I love them dearly.
Command: Return to the green line, continue returning fire, help is on the way, followed by air support.
Prokhorenko : Negative, I am surrounded, they are so many of these bastards!
Command: Extract ETA 10 minutes, return to the green line.
Prokhorenko : I can’t they have surrounded me and are closing in, please hurry.
Command: return to the green line, I repeat return to the green line.
Prokhorenko : They are outside, conduct the airstrike now please hurry, this is the end, tell my family I love them and i died fighting for my motherland.
Command: Negative, return to the green line.
Prokhorenko : Unable command, I am surrounded, they are outside, I don’t want them to take me and parade me, conduct the airstrike, they will make a mockery of me and this uniform. I want to die with dignity and take all these bastards with me. please my last wish, conduct the airstrike, they will kill me either way.
Command: Please confirm your request.
Prokhorenko : They [are] outside, this is the end commander, thank you, tell my family and my country I love them. Tell them I was brave and I fought until I could no longer. Please take care of my family, avenge my death, good bye commander, tell my family I love them!
Command: [No response, orders the airstrike]
ticklelittlegirlz
He is the scum that invades Georgia and the Ukraine now fighting other scum.
waskiwa
I'm wondering about the legitimacy of this transcript since I read these exact words about a Russian soldier in WWII like 2 days ago
bananabox
This doesn't really read like a very realistic coms transcript.
NekkidSnek
*utmost
RaccoonAttack
The radio talk is fake.
scabtheman
*utmost
MoldyFortuneCookie
The confirmation paragraph gave me some serious chills. Till Valhalla...
Dannyxrain
You and me both
JordanBFrye
He is awaited.
VinnieJonesDiary
That transcript is totally fake, you know that right? And the whole incident is very questionable.
TyrannosaurusDexter
What A FUCKING badass. Got chills reading this shit
27yoUGLYvirgin
"all the sources go back to one random guy's Facebook account - it's widely assumed to be a fake transcript."
TyrannosaurusDexter
Ofc.. I hate facebook
Idontknowhername
Is there a source for this conversation? Call me a pessimist but I've always thought they made this story up to cover up friendly fire
TheyCallMeTheDoc
Conversation no. Airstrike on team member surrounded by IS fighters. Yes. Even if he never requested it, this was the kindest act a command
TheyCallMeTheDoc
And pilot could have done for that soldier.
amamchy
According to US intel 80% of russian airstrikes was made not on terrorists. Any evidence that this certain fight was agains them?
TheyCallMeTheDoc
Yes, I watched the city evacuated slowly for weeks of civilians. Then a uptempo of air strikes by Russia as the teams worked to identify
TheyCallMeTheDoc
Targets
HeWentToJaredButNotJaredFromSubwayCuzHeDidBadStuffImJared
Wow this is heavy. Highest respect for all of our soldiers.
taloner
This is bullshit. That is not how these things go down at all @op you should be ashamed of yourself.
TheyCallMeTheDoc
How what goes down? Call for fire? Calls for CAS? Have you ever been in a situation where either were required?
taloner
Yes I have. I was watch officer in a TOC and highly skilled soldiers don't waste time talking shit like that. No matter what is happening.
TheyCallMeTheDoc
Biggest pissing contest in the world happens between between a fister/jtac and the pilots. How'd that AC feel and coffee taste in the toc?
TheyCallMeTheDoc
I ain't gonna get in a pissing contest over this, just given ya shit lol.
Terminology
Any legitimate source for that transcript? Seen it a few dozen times already, never without any indication that it might be legitimate.
fluentinwhalesong
Not to knock what he did but that transcript sounds propagandish. I could definitely be wrong but that's my take on it without better info.
TheyCallMeTheDoc
You're most likely actually correct- while the story of him calling the airstrike on himself is true I doubt the transcript release.
TheyCallMeTheDoc
That said I find it a beautiful addition regardless as it helps put the heroism in perspective for people who've never felt that sort of (2)
TheyCallMeTheDoc
Desperation in combat.Also I'd bet my left nut wHat was actually said was very similar to this, probably with more cursing, and in Russian
fluentinwhalesong
True that. I agree.
Hydr0p0nik
Tonight is my drinking night with my buddies. We will drink in your honor! Your name will be spoken here in Texas tonight.
0rian
Tennessee Checking in, and Salute!
lostnortherner
And here in New York, Lt Prokhorenko - your name will be on our lips and we will forever be grateful for your sacrifice. God bless you.
PrimeUser
And over again in Idaho.
xenadukem
X 2.
TheManFromOklahoma
X3
ALoneTenno
I say that because even I, a Russian at heart (from USA), knows that any reason to drink, even a fake one, is still a good reason to drink!
ALoneTenno
I'm not of age but damnit I'm finding some alcohol even though I was told this was propaganda! X4!
jumbohobo
Texas represent! x4 also
AnniCannibal
X5
happytreeleaf
What a massive boost to Putin's popularity this is, coming from Putin News. Sorry there's a dead soldier, but Russian media = 0 credibility
StarrrryNight
Has about the same level of credibility as American news so I wouldn't worry too much.
derpfacemacderp
B-bu-but... only Russian media produces propaganda. The West never does that!
happytreeleaf
Little green men.
TheyCallMeTheDoc
So... You realize the Russians didn't even come out with this right? We(Americans) released the Intel on that situation. Russia had otherwis
TheyCallMeTheDoc
Pulled its army out of Syria besides air coverage
happytreeleaf
I'm having trouble finding this story on a credible western news agency. BBC would be good.
TheyCallMeTheDoc
Independent.ie has loads of info as does abc. Do you know what you're looking for? Can you see the patterns? Or do you just read Syrian army
TheyCallMeTheDoc
Success and discount the info?
happytreeleaf
Take a deep breath, and let me know if you find a link from a credible (i.e. large, well known) news agency and please share.
Joppsta
-respond by not posting sources, saying you believe it and you've seen reliable enough sources but not quoting those sources.-
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Joppsta
Bullshit of the highest magnitude, thanks man.
ErichEisenmenger
Why would they declassify chatter on the radio? Track this thing back to the source, it's from a post on facebook from Bangladesh.
TheyCallMeTheDoc
Like I said. I doubt the validity of the final comms. Yet it's safe to assume something similar was said. I lol it even if the comms is a
TheyCallMeTheDoc
Fiction because for people outside th military it makes the incident so much more understandable, having lived an attack that pushed my unit
TheyCallMeTheDoc
Off our cop and would of probably killed us if it wasn't for my fister and his cool demeanor under fire, I doubt I'd be here today.
gunterleeds
I'm no expert, but the whole "transcript" read like the script to a war film written by a 14 year old Call of Duty player.
key4s
Utmost?
bobyran
Are you Vegan?
TheyCallMeTheDoc
Yep. Typo on iPhones and didn't notice till I posted. Imgur Gods did not favor me this day.
dankeykangkantry
I've been noticing this more and more, even on news articles. UTMOST. Is it really that difficult? (OP I know you've already admitted typo)
OuroborosX
The flip side of this is that when one of them blows themselves up to take out soldiers, they also see them as heroes. War sucks.
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OuroborosX
I'm not taking anything away from him. I just mean that it's all perspective. If you were getting bombed all day with bombs that say USA...
VinnieJonesDiary
"People of Palmyra"? Um, Palmyra is an abandoned ancient city, no one lives there... kinda showing how well informed you are.
TheyCallMeTheDoc
Palmyra is an ancient city of ruins destroyed by IS. The city of palmyra is a city with thousands of livings residents who have lived under
TheyCallMeTheDoc
Control of IS. Now go ahead and pull your fucking foot out of your ass and learn to shut the fuck up.
TheyCallMeTheDoc
Now go ahead. Google palmyra. I'll wait. Then come back and give me a rebuttal on how it's just an ancient city because you pull your
VinnieJonesDiary
Do you mean the city of Tadmur? If so then I withdraw my comment gracefully and apologise for being a dick.
TheyCallMeTheDoc
Tadmur is more commonly known as palmyra in English. Which is what I was referring too. I also now apologize for my dicklike reply.
LizardEnterprises
1/2 As was pointed out the last time this was posted - independent reporting from Syria is rare. All stories should be treated as propaganda
LizardEnterprises
2/2 Unless and until they are independently confirmed.
TheyCallMeTheDoc
Last time this was posted? I wrote that myself. Also it's confirmed. This happened. You just don't know where to find it.
bug57
You know what else is confirmed by Russia? That Ukraine belongs to Russia and wants badly to join them. The kremlin is a lying sack of shit.
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TheyCallMeTheDoc
Google it, idc what you do/don't do. I know what I need to know about it to know its true. The event not so much the final transcribe comms
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TheyCallMeTheDoc
My mistake. I don't follow every post made on imgur. Whoops.
LizardEnterprises
Ya know what, upvote for being able to admit you made a mistake on the internet. That is a rare trait indeed.
LizardEnterprises
1/2 And If its so damned easy to find, show me a reputable source saying it happened. I'm open to being proven wrong here, but Russia can
LizardEnterprises
2/2 and has lied about the activities of its soldiers for propaganda purposes before. See Ukraine for countless examples.
tubby5473
After hear about his actions earlier this week, ive accepted that even from an enemy nations military i still consider him a brother in arms
StarrrryNight
Stop watching Fox. Russia stopped being your enemy 25 years ago
Catilina
Enemy nation? Yo we aint enemies, we only have a small missunderstanding. Dont live the wars of our fathers
TheyCallMeTheDoc
We're aren't enemies. Yet Russia and the US are certainly not friends.
27yoUGLYvirgin
Enemy nation? Wtf.
DecentDeviant
Tensions between Russia and the US are by no means even mildly comparable to pre90s, but for a while in Syria we were in another proxy war.
shimmernshine
They aren't an enemy unless war is declared. They are our rivals.
PuffTart
Russia has not been an enemy for over 2 decades
etthy
Enemy nation? Turn off fox.
tubby5473
Just sucks his wife is preggers
Skuldi
She might be happy to have the kid. It's a piece of him in the most literal way.
TheyCallMeTheDoc
Ya that's the way I feel it. Don't care the side he's on. Tremendous display of valor, awareness, and selfless sacrifice.
StarrrryNight
He's on your side............... Russia isn't your enemy...
TheyCallMeTheDoc
Russia isn't our enemy, we're just one shady eye gaze away from a fight though
tubby5473
Yup, i have the utmost respect for that man.
Rofl4you
Considering Americans and Russians are both fighting ISIS, in Syria you guys are on the same side!
TheyCallMeTheDoc
True- sorta.our nations are certainly not allies and Russian espionage is back to pre90s levelz
Alvatore
Given that the current top dog of Russia is ex-KGB, that doesn't surprise me in the least.
TheyCallMeTheDoc
Ya major problems back in 14 after Ukraine kicked off... Slowed down some with their refocus on Syria.
InsertSomethingW1ttyHere
They're not even an enemy. They're "supposed to be" our ally. We just have this extremely weird mistrust between them and us from WW2.
DecentDeviant
Not to mention that eastern and western societies are historically like agressive female beta fish stuck together in the same bowl.
tubby5473
I used to work intel im aware we aren't enemies but we aren't really allies either
shimmernshine
The word is Rivals.
TheyCallMeTheDoc
A lot of people now using Imgur don't understand that remaining animosity.
Phaeston
There's still a lot of lingering nationalistic resentment from the Cold War. Right now, we'
InsertSomethingW1ttyHere
It all started when we dropped both atomic bombs on Japan...then instead of everyone vowing never to use that sort of thing, we made more.
Phaeston
re essentially "frienemies"
Punchitchewie
Not to sully a man's memory, but do we have respectable sauce? Russia has spent past year claiming to target ISIS...story seems unlikely...
andyonetime
Aaagreed
terrorista31
the soldier is death and he died in Palmyra, ISIS posted pictures of his equipment on twitter, the airstrike part is not confirmed yet.
thegr8rambino
What is "respectable" to u? CNN? Fox? Lol..
Punchitchewie
Good question. Respectable may not be the right word...battlefield reporting can't be easily verified by independent sources...
thegr8rambino
yes, a very good question. sometimes i feel the only way to know if its true is if you actually witnessed it, or know someone personally
thegr8rambino
who has
NocturnalGreed
Exactly. No independent reports came in about the incident, all reports were official russian news outlets. Government controlled.
thegr8rambino
Kinda like news in america too
NocturnalGreed
Exactly like news in America. Also news in the UK, and South Korea, and all over the world.
thegr8rambino
yap..
NocturnalGreed
Only difference here is, that there is no other source for the story than the original report from Russian controlled media.
DarKEspeon
Oh you people and your cold wars. A man dies a terrible death tho he did something good, and you tryna find a reason to shit'n it? Eugh.
NocturnalGreed
We have no idea if it is true or not, and with the level of "transparency" or more so the lack thereof it would be silly to believe its real
NocturnalGreed
I don't think you understand, like any news, you never accept what you hear, and you do your own research, but the problem is we can't.
VinnieJonesDiary
Yeah, how dare we try and find the truth of the matter or wonder if this is exactly how things happened!
DarKEspeon
Well, how do you expect to find it?
Seenmeb4
I read about him yesterday online. I understood him to be brave. After reading the transcript I know the true meaning of dying with honor.
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MoreCowBellBaby
Screw off
27yoUGLYvirgin
Wtf? It IS fake. The source is one user on Facebook. It is most likely made up, there are no sources for it. Stupid hive mind.
raidleadergutts
People are really caught up in their hero worship to listen to what you have to say.
GreyPilgrim90
And to think politicians in the US are talking about a no fly zone in Syria and shooting down Russian jets that violate it. Insanity.
MoreCowBellBaby
F'in ay man, this dude got a first class seat in Valhalla.
Okiegoon
I agree completely. Can't even imagine this, reading it, just... damn. R.I.P. Lt. prokhorenko
Anisol
I know what you mean. I never cried before reading an article, but this time I couldn't stop the tears. Rest in peace friend.
WelcomeToThePartyPal
Searched his name; He was married 18 months ago and wife was pregnant with the first child. He took out over a dozen ISIS scum.
thegr8rambino
I hope those Isis scum felt sorry for even being born lol
nexusband
You know, Russians do this stuff very often...they are sometimes very stupid and can't drive properly, but they are courageous.
YouWereMythTaken
Oh god I was tearing up before but now that I know all of that the floodgates have opened
degenerateace
Jesus me too, fucking brave and honorable to the very end!!!
YarTheBug
'Til Valhalla Lt. Prokhorenko
LEEEEROYJENKINS99
And now he sits at the Great Table in the Halls of Valhalla.
ImALittleFatGirl
You would know Leroy
LEEEEROYJENKINS99
Yes indeed I would.
TheyCallMeTheDoc
Just in that strike, follow the timeline- he was in country about two weeks past identifying targets with his team on the ground amongst
TheyCallMeTheDoc
The population. They had been raining absolute hell.
ireadalotofarticles
Goddam. Respect this man til eternity.
chopper35
he rode into valhalla on a golden chariot. he earned his place at the table.
jimmysuebob
Those fucking bastards...those fucking bastards.
IEatBaconBurgers
Makes me want to just kill them. But im not going to join the military. I'll just post about it on imgur
Coolwowier
Hey don't call ISIS scums, ur just insulting the rest of the scums in the world, these people on the other hand just don't deserve to exist.
TheSlavViking
It makes me sick as a Swede that our politicians want to give these cunts jobs and apartments for free when they return from fighting...
5Fingers
You know, there is a difference between refugees and terrorists, right? Please tell me you know the difference.
TheSlavViking
read what I wrote again, I said I hate the fact that my government wants to help ISIS fighters instead of real refugees...
Coolwowier
ISIS soldiers?
TheSlavViking
tax money that I pay goes to these people who should honestly just be put up against a wall and shot get that stuff instead of real refugees
TheSlavViking
Yeah they want to give them rehabilitation and free healthcare/welfare and all that shit...makes me sick honestly to think that my, 1
Coolwowier
Omg, no Sweden, NOOO!!!!
Coolwowier
Sigh, the world's a messed up place right now... All I can say is God bless those striving for peace and freedom
matthdew
I don't care if I'm downvoted to oblivion but I think people should really be wary of stories such as this as PROPAGANDA
TheyCallMeTheDoc
Eh... Here is the thing. Russian SF is on ground around palmyra for the past two weeks spotting targets.im an American, what propaganda is
TheyCallMeTheDoc
It to promote Russia? Go look at world news over the past two weeks accurate Russian air strikes were through the roof. The teams are
TheyCallMeTheDoc
Effective. Now video shows the swarm on the castle he was in.... This here happened. Fact. The transmission? Sure it could be rewritten
TheyCallMeTheDoc
For release but I bet my left nut if it was that the actual transmission was something similar along the lines.
matthdew
My comment is not directed at you but the story itself.
TheyCallMeTheDoc
Ya. No. I didn't take any offense. I'm serious. Look at world news over the past two weeks. You can see how the teams were working. Also
TheyCallMeTheDoc
Russia didn't even report that he had been killed and probably wouldn't have if we yanks didn't put it out there.
SunAnvil
Fuck. Just fuck. Upvote for a brave human.
emzo51
First time I actually teared on Imgur. Fuck them onion cutting ninjas..
iKnow
Just when I thought the Internet had desensitized & robbed me of emotion... I legit got choked up reading this. Prayers for his family.
Mylovelyladylumps
I'm too high for shit. My heart is broken.
ItsCarverTime
Same
Chefreign
Risky call on his part as there was a high chance the shells/bombs would have deflected right off of his massive fucking balls. RIP GG.
onecupshort
Perfect
jgempire
Nice
whatspaulplayingtoday
I needed this laugh. Sat here too long, numb, thinking about this guy, scared and alone. G fuckin' G, Lieutenant. G. Fucking. G.
Chefreign
Same. Definitely shed some tears. Doubt I could do the same in his position.
whatspaulplayingtoday
I'd like to think I would, but there's no way I could know. I hope I would. I hope you would, too. This guy is a fuckin' hero.
GTimgur
Having reasonable knowledge of what they'd do to you if taken alive (he was out of ammunition), you just might.
redorkulator
Being the massive cynic I am, could you source the transcript?
daikonfunnytome
Sputnik news. A russian government owned propogandist news network
Punchitchewie
Russia spent the last year bombing Syrian rebels, this doesn't add up.
squiddna
I feel like it's a little pithy for being pinned down by enemy gunfire. Even if the transcript is authentic doesn't mean it wasn't doctored.
xoverthirtyx
Yeah doesn't seem like the thing readily/accurately available to the public esp. from a foreign country's sensitive military op
PunchViolenceInTheFace
Since when do we trust Russian military propaganda? also we already know they weren't going after Isis much.
SMopfamn
Exactly.
TacticalCargoShorts
It's bullshit - but imgur thrives on bullshit.
DigiRust
It felt fake but I didn't want to say anything negative
MrCDXX
Having done some basic radio training...this seems very odd. Radio calls are very short and to the point...you also open and
Punchitchewie
Good point. If you're stressed on a radio, the calls are typically frantic, terse and choppy at best.
MrCDXX
Close with call signs. Unless Russian radio protocol is dramatically different from US / NATO rules, this transcript is not accurate.
MrCDXX
Also...Russia is pretty adept at creating propaganda. I'm sure the soldier was brave, but this transcript has a very dramatic flair to it...
hunter4708
Fake. No native version. Can't find it even in our social networks and news websites.
[deleted]
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hunter4708
I'm russian. Searched on vk.com and various news websites. No source in russian (hence "native").
[deleted]
[deleted]
hunter4708
Exactly.
TheBananaTrain
I wonder how chilling it must have been for that pilot to drop the bomb knowing that they were going to kill their comrade.
AidenLeftHome
https://youtu.be/qEQshrACCEA
PureOdio
As heartbreaking as it was, surely they knew that in the end, they could not save him--they could only spare him.
MightyShoePrint
"There is a huge difference between a wasted life and a used life", to badly paraphrase the Halo: Reach book. This guys life was not wasted.
pramienjager
It is likely he wouldn't know until after. They are given coords and orders, not back stories.
Cal1te
Pilot would most likely not have known until after the fact. Different CoC involved he would've just received the coords and payload.
CharlieKellyFullOnRapist
[No response, orders the airstrike]....that's heavy
katos1995
I hope Russia looks over his widow.
TheBananaTrain
He'll probably be treated like a national hero, so I don't doubt it.
BorisGaykovich
i am russian. no, he is not. our fucking govnmt keeps the whole operation in grey zone. no heroes, no casulates, nothibg. fuck them.
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Beinghappyisdoingwhatyoulove
Man.. with a comment like that, you can't be surprised when karma drops a house on your parents.
MusicIsJustWigglyAir
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S._friendly-fire_incidents_since_1945_with_British_victims open with caution. Facts hurt
Beinghappyisdoingwhatyoulove
Blue fire = enjoy killing friendlies? Dude.. you are a truly terrible human being.
MusicIsJustWigglyAir
Been said before
MyLifeisaComplicatedDrinkingGame
I don't think they'd tell the pilot at the time. They'd just give him coordinates. Imagine though, leaning after the fact.
NoStrangerToLove
Eh. It depends, everyone is in different channels. Occasionally Apache pilots tune in to us but usually you have to reach out to them.
TheyCallMeTheDoc
Don't think Russia has BFTs? Also... When have you ever seen air support not pick up comms with a jtac/fister... Same thing for them
NoStrangerToLove
If they are on station, but they aren't listening to lieutenant Joe snuffy on the radio calling fire through his command.
TheyCallMeTheDoc
What the hell are you talking about? Our overhead always links up.
TheyCallMeTheDoc
In older times of war this would have been true, but now a days (even Russia) would have the cords of person on ground and pilots use that
TheyCallMeTheDoc
To know where to place their bombs to avoid hitting friendly.
JamBarn
Bittersweet I'd imagine.
orcan97
like the usaf havent done that before
dfsmitty0711
I wonder if the pilot really knew....
TheBananaTrain
Well if he didn't he probably will know now.
butthurtbill
Probably just kick him from the match for team killing. I'm sorry for the dark joke, too soon?
Alvatore
His corpse isn't even cold in the ground yet. Way too soon.
UhOhImAnOreo
Yep
OopsIFarted
There are things you can joke about. I personally believe this isn't one of them.
peldor
He gave a comrade the only mercy he could... better than having his head sawed off or being burned alive in a cage.
TheBananaTrain
Very true.
districtnein
As true as this is, it still had to have been a tough day.
Muffyns
this, its fucking isis they would kill him slowly
SaucyDisses
I just don't understand how cruel and sick ISIS can be. Honestly, what drives a group of people to do that and think it's justified? How?
B4dger
Islam does.
B4dger
http://www.thereligionofpeace.com/pages/quran/violence.aspx
FloridaMansSideKick
Religion.
ISeeBulge
Religion...
Imgurisweird
True.
SaucyDisses
SAD BEEP
ISeeBulge
Sorry i meant to say it like this: 'religion'
Rogahar
Few people get to choose the means of their departure. Prokhorenko made his choice, sad as it was, and I sincerely hope the last thing the >
MerToo
If you're surrounded by ISIS you're a hero. If you're riddled with cancer they all look sideways at you.
Rogahar
If you're surrounded by ISIS and make the active choice to sacrifice your life to take them out, you're a hero. If you're riddled with >
Rogahar
> a disease nobody can reliably do anything about, then yeah, people tend to feel awkward about it.
MerToo
Tragically, you were the only one who realised I was making a comment about "choosing your end" not disparaging the dead Russian guy. Sigh..
MightyShoePrint
It was the best choice available, and he was able to make that choice, but it sucks that the only *real* choice available was so awful.
TheBananaTrain
Very true, at least he got a quick death rather than die a slow painful one at the hands of the enemy.
Rogahar
DAESH bastards saw as they crossed the threshold was his middle finger as the whistling from above grew louder.
IamTheRealZorro
As good as it feels to imagine them suffering in fear, their religious fanaticism is unfathomable. I'm sure they went out thanking their God
plation
Radio coms are very strict and to the point. They wouldn't waste their time explaining. Nor would the pilot be monitoring the conversation.
TheyCallMeTheDoc
You ever run with a small group and have air? Shit I've had full conversations with overhead A10 pilots calling out directions
TheBananaTrain
Ahh okay, must suck for the pilot to find out afterwards.
plation
Maybe but I would imagine it to be much better then any fate he would of faced at the hands of IS
TheBananaTrain
Quite true, those fundamentalists do very terrible things to those who oppose them.
namiasdf
It's called mercy.
TheyCallMeTheDoc
Pretty fuckin mind fucking. Still. Knowing his situation like the pilot would. I can understand his position.
StephLovik
Aren't most bombing runs blind fire? As in command knows the specifics the pilot only knows coords?
ImSorryFriend
When I served as an F/A-18 pilot in the Black Sea in Jane's USNF'97, our wing commander explained our missions pretty well in the cutscenes.
Turbz
Yes but it's likely that CAS was monitoring the channel as well.
themercwithamouthdeadpool
I still can't imagine the torment the commander had to go through just to be able to give the order to commence the airstrike
AidenLeftHome
https://youtu.be/qEQshrACCEA
Muffyns
they do to him 2/2
Muffyns
its fucking isis they would kill him slowly, it would be a harder decision to not order the airstrike being called and then find out what
themercwithamouthdeadpool
*airstrike
TheyCallMeTheDoc
Ya. It'll sit with that commander for the rest of his life for sure. Yet I hope he finds comfort in having had the opportunity to have led
TheyCallMeTheDoc
Such a man. Also the Russian teams out in palmyra were already operating under the belief of suicide before capture. Knowing their limits
TheyCallMeTheDoc
And equipment issues in the environment, emergency extraction for them is a bit of a questionable option.
Sklumlord
The pilot may not have even known, the guy on the radio definitely has the hardest job (After Prokhorenko ofc)
SendNewts
That had to be really tough for the person who relayed that command, even knowing it was the only way. Sad for all.
raidleadergutts
I don't understand why so many people are averse to mercy killings. It would have been infinitely more cruel to not order the strike.
ButterMyButt
That doesn't mean it still wouldn't be tough.
raidleadergutts
To me, it would only be tough if I was not sure that the person/creature was beyond saving. If not, I would not hesitate and would want 1
raidleadergutts
the same thing for myself. I sure as all hell would not want to suffer needlessly just because someone thinks dying is worse than torture. 2