AH-1 emergency evacuation

[Burncycle360]

I recall there was an incident in the GWOT where a Cobra was able to evacuate some guys (a downed crew maybe?) by opening the gun panel doors on the cheeks and using them as benches, but it seems like any information has been lost in the aether, or maybe my search fu isn't up to snuff. Does anyone have any information on the incident?

[Ol Paint]

Maverick by Dennis Marvicsin describes doing this in the Vietnam War.

https://www.amazon.com/Maverick-Marviscin/dp/0399135677

Here's a picture showing the relevant bay doors.

 

Doug

Edited May 7 by Ol Paint

[shootER5]

In 2007 a Texas ARNG Apache crew evacuated a wounded soldier by putting him in the front seat and having the copilot/gunner ride on the left wing for the trip to the hospital.

https://www.nationalguard.mil/News/Article-View/Article/573012/apache-pilots-save-critically-wounded-soldier-with-unorthodox-evacuation/

[Stuart Galbraith]

There was an incident in Afghanistan, where the AAC wounded a fatally wounded soldier from the Jugroom fort whilst under enemy fire, with 2 guys riding on the wings of an Apache. Perhaps that was it?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jugroom_Fort