The war hits home to me, once again

Bullet

10-Year Member
Joined
Jan 9, 2008
Messages
986
Just found out some tragic news. You're all probably aware of the attack last week on Camp Bastion in Afghanistan, and the fact that US Marine lives were lost.

Well, I knew the UMSC Lt Col who was killed in action that day, VERY well. :frown:

Sad News Here

Lt Col Chris "Otis" Raible, USMC. He was my counterpart on the USMC HQ staff also working F-35 issues. Saw Otis practically everyday in the course of our duties. Great guy, great Marine, great all-around American whom I had the privilege to call comrade in arms and friend. He taught me, once again, that Marines do have a great sense of humor to go along with a great warrior perspective. Working with him, we became good friends who shared the mysery of working in this building on a program that never seemed to be going smoothly.

His last week here in the building,as we said our infomral good-byes as he prepared to take over his own Harrier squadron, we shared some beers and some laughs about life in the Beltway and the F-35 program. As I shook his hand that night in my final "best of luck to you, kick butt and take names", I distinctly remember telling him how jealous I was that he had the chance to once again take to the skies in the defense of this great country, while I stayed behind, retired and stuck to a desk job. "You lucky dog", I also seem to remember telling him.

My toast to you Otis. The world will be a little greyer with your passing. You were a true professional, a dedicated warrior, and a great friend. I will be there at Arlington to pay my respects the day you are finally laid to rest.

Semper Fi.

A sad, sad day for me.
 
Very sorry to hear about your loss, Bullet.

I did a little research because I hadn't heard too much about this incident, it didn't receive a lot of coverage despite being the largest loss of aircraft in a single day since the Vietnam War.

About 15 insurgents (19 according to some reports), wearing U.S. Army uniforms, organized into three teams, breached the perimeter fence and launched an assault on the airfield, that includes the U.S. Camp Leatherneck and the UK’s Camp Bastion, where British royal Prince Harry, an AH-64 Apache pilot (initially believed to be the main target of the attack) is stationed.

The attackers fired machine guns, rocket propelled grenades and possibly mortars against aircraft parked next to the airport’s runway. Two U.S. Marines were killed in the subsequent fighting whereas eight of 10 AV-8B+ Harrier jets of the Yuma-based Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 211 were destroyed (6) or heavily damaged (2): the worst U.S. air loss in one day since the Vietnam War.

http://theaviationist.com/2012/09/16/vma-211/
 
My thoughts and prayers go out to you Bullet and to Lt Col Raible's family as well.
 
Luigi,

That was also shocking to me regarding the damage that was done.

Both fixed wing and rotor craft were attacked, coalition officials said. Each of the six Harrier jets that were destroyed costs at least $24 million.

6 jets destroyed and 2 more were significantly damaged on base.

God bless their family in this time of need.
 
Thank you for sharing this painful story with us.

Warriors should be remembered. Thank you bullet for sharing this with us and giving a name to the Marines who lost their lives in this assault.
 
Will be Praying...

So sorry for the loss, Bullet. Will be praying for his family and friends, and especially for you too. I`m sure he`s in a better place now--->:angel:
 
Will pray for the families. Very saddened by your loss, Bullet.
 
Hoisting a glass of a fine adult beverage...

"A Toast..." :frown:

Sad news indeed Bullet.

GBU and his family.

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
http://www.post-gazette.com/stories...lled-in-taliban-attack-on-afghan-base-653830/
September 18, 2012 12:15 am
By Torsten Ove / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
An Irwin native who commanded a Marine Harrier jet squadron was one of two Marines killed in Friday's bold Taliban attack on a NATO base in Afghanistan.
Lt. Col. Christopher "Otis" Raible, 40, leader of Marine Attack Squadron 211 based in Arizona, died in the assault on Camp Bastion in Helmand Province, which the Taliban announced was launched to kill Britain's Prince Harry, an Apache helicopter pilot stationed there.
The Department of Defense on Monday confirmed Lt. Col. Raible's death and that of another Marine, Sgt. Bradley W. Atwell, 27, of Kokomo, Ind.
Belvina Raible, Lt. Col. Raible's mother in Irwin, could not be reached Monday.
One Marine colleague posted a goodbye on a military service academy forum, saying Lt. Col. Raible was a "true professional" and a dedicated warrior.
"I will be there at Arlington to pay my respects the day you are finally laid to rest," he wrote.
The details of how Lt. Col. Raible died aren't clear.
 
Heard the rumors about what happened the day Otis was killed and what actions he took. Looks like the rest of the world is now hearing about what he did, and the example he gave us all.

Article here

Take this lesson to heart, all you young men and women here looking into becoming the future leaders of our military. That Academy appointment or ROTC scholarship might just be a means to get you on to bigger and better things, it might just be a means to afford higher education, or it might just be a dream you've had all your life.

But when you have the good fortune to be selected to a Service Academy, or get that ROTC scholarship, or ROTC field training slot, the US government is EXPECTING you to be a LEADER. Take Otis' example to heart, for he very succintly demonstrated in his actions that day what it means to be a true leader, rallying his troops and meeting the enemy head-on, armed with only his side arm. THIS should be in your equation when considering an appointment as an officer in the military, and THIS is what you should be asking yourself today.

Simple question. When the time comes, are you ready and willing to follow Otis' example? Are you joining to be a leader? Because THAT is what is expected, and why you are given that opportunity. TO LEAD.

Semper Fi, Otis. Proud you were my friend.
 
Heard the rumors about what happened the day Otis was killed and what actions he took. Looks like the rest of the world is now hearing about what he did, and the example he gave us all.

Article here

Take this lesson to heart, all you young men and women here looking into becoming the future leaders of our military. That Academy appointment or ROTC scholarship might just be a means to get you on to bigger and better things, it might just be a means to afford higher education, or it might just be a dream you've had all your life.

But when you have the good fortune to be selected to a Service Academy, or get that ROTC scholarship, or ROTC field training slot, the US government is EXPECTING you to be a LEADER. Take Otis' example to heart, for he very succintly demonstrated in his actions that day what it means to be a true leader, rallying his troops and meeting the enemy head-on, armed with only his side arm. THIS should be in your equation when considering an appointment as an officer in the military, and THIS is what you should be asking yourself today.

Simple question. When the time comes, are you ready and willing to follow Otis' example? Are you joining to be a leader? Because THAT is what is expected, and why you are given that opportunity. TO LEAD.

Semper Fi, Otis. Proud you were my friend.

He is a true inspiration. I will have DS read this link and story.

Thank You Lt Col Chris "Otis" Raible, USMC. A true hero.
 
This morning Otis is being laid to rest at Arlington. God speed to his family.
 
I have had many friends serve under LtCol Raible. They said he was an amazing officer and human. All my friends who attended yesterday's service said it was a sad day, but an inspiration and reminder of what a great man he was.
 
Back
Top