Unit/ Formation: 42 Cdo RM
Location: Jugroom Fort
Period/ Conflict: War in Afghanistan (2001-)
Year: 2007
Date/s: 15th January 2007
On 15th January 2007 as part of the Operation GLACIER , Zulu Company of 45 Commando Royal Marines crossed the Helmand River to assault the Taliban stronghold of Jugroom Fort, near Garmsir, southern Afghanistan. Following heavy casualties the attack was called off, but during the reorganization Lance Corporal Mathew Ford RM was unaccounted for.
Two Apache helicopter crews from 656 Squadron Army Air Corps confirmed the location of the casualty lying near the fort’s outer wall. Four volunteers from the IX Group, Captain D. Rigg RE, WO1 (RSM) C. Hearn RM, and Marines C. Fraser-Perry and G. Robinson, were flown into the enemy stronghold while sitting on the wings of the two Apaches.
Despite coming under heavy machine-gun fire the four Commandos dismounted to recover the fatally wounded Marine, they carried him back and secured him to the footstep of ZJ224.
All the personnel returned to their aircraft, and succeeded in flying to safety without further casualties.
I had the privilege of touching ZJ224 today. Really special moment.