National Geographic Society

  • Connect:

Whatever It Takes

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  • Senior Airman (SrA) Barry, keeping watch from the helicopter on a mission in Kandahar province. This is Barry's first deployment.
  • Staff Sergeant (SSgt) Matt inside the helicopter, ready to take off.
  • A soldier gearing a helicopter for a mission.
  • Staff Sergeant (SSgt) Matt keeping watch from the helicopter cabin. The side of a sand dune looms in the background. Matt is on his third deployment, but for the first time, he's in charge.
  • Staff Sergeant (SSgt) Matt keeps watch from the helicopter cabin. Another Pave Hawk helicopter flies in the background.
  • Pilot, Captain (Capt) Chris, in helicopter cockpit at night, wearing full gear and decorated helmet.
  • Staff Sergeant (SSgt) Trevor running for the barracks during a scramble for an incoming mission. This is Trevor's third deployment.
  • Staff Sergeant (SSgt) Trevor performs a comm check in between missions at Kandahar Airfield.
  • Staff Sergeant (SSgt) Trevor in front of a Pave Hawk helicopter.
  • Senior Airman (SrA) Barry in front of Pave Hawk helicopter. At just 22, Senior Airman Barry is deploying as a Pararescueman (PJ) in one of the busiest and most dangerous regions of Afghanistan.
  • Staff Sergeant (SSgt) Matt in front of a Pave Hawk helicopter. Matt leaves home at one of the biggest moments of his life, as his wife is expecting their first child.

  • Mission Watch

    Photograph by NGT

    Senior Airman (SrA) Barry, keeping watch from the helicopter on a mission in Kandahar province.  This is Barry's first deployment.

  • Ready To Go

    Photograph by NGT

    Staff Sergeant (SSgt) Matt inside the helicopter, ready to take off.

  • Restocking the Chopper

    Photograph by NGT

    A soldier gearing a helicopter for a mission.

  • Helicopter Hero

    Photograph by NGT

    Staff Sergeant (SSgt) Matt keeping watch from the helicopter cabin. The side of a sand dune looms in the background.  Matt is on his third deployment, but for the first time, he's in charge.

  • In Flight

    Photograph by NGT

    Staff Sergeant (SSgt) Matt keeps watch from the helicopter cabin. Another Pave Hawk helicopter flies in the background. 

  • A Nighttime Mission

    Photograph by NGT

    Pilot, Captain (Capt) Chris, in helicopter cockpit at night, wearing full gear and decorated helmet.

  • Quick Movers

    Photograph by NGT

    Staff Sergeant (SSgt) Trevor running for the barracks during a scramble for an incoming mission.  This is Trevor's third deployment.

  • Completing Checks

    Photograph by NGT

    Staff Sergeant (SSgt) Trevor performs a comm check in between missions at Kandahar Airfield.

  • Staff Sergeant Trevor

    Photograph by NGT

    Staff Sergeant (SSgt) Trevor in front of a Pave Hawk helicopter. 

  • Senior Airman Barry

    Photograph by NGT

    Senior Airman (SrA) Barry in front of Pave Hawk helicopter.  At just 22, Senior Airman Barry is deploying as a Pararescueman (PJ) in one of the busiest and most dangerous regions of Afghanistan.

  • Staff Sergeant Matt

    Photograph by NGT

    Staff Sergeant (SSgt) Matt in front of a Pave Hawk helicopter.  Matt leaves home at one of the biggest moments of his life, as his wife is expecting their first child.  

6 comments
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Anthony Smith
Anthony Smith

Lori, If your talking about the alert, It say's LEEEEEROOOOOY JENKINS. If you got to youtube and search it, that will explain it all. 

SL Lewis
SL Lewis

Lori,

The book is "None Braver"  by Michael Hirsh

Lori Duchesne
Lori Duchesne

What is said over the PA system before every mission?

What's the name of the book and it's author that one of your PJ's was reading on either this week's episode or last week's episode?  He mentioned it was about former PJ's and the missions they went on?

Love the show.  Haven't missed an episode.

May God keep you all safe during all of your missions bringing our wounded home.  May you all come home safely to those that love you as well.

Daniel Impens
Daniel Impens

Love these snot nosed kids. Sure would be an honor to serve with them.