IRAQI DESERT -- Several aircraft from Marine Aircraft Group 16 took part in the high profile mission to rescue Army Pfc. Jessica Lynch, April 1, who was being held hostage in a hospital near the city of Nasiriyah by Iraqi militants.

Years of training paid off that night for Medium Helicopter Squadron 165 and the crew of CH-46E aircraft number 12, just one of the aircraft to fly on the hostage extraction. Their mission: to carry a squad of Army Rangers to a rally point near the area Lynch was being held hostage.

"We had planned to make a couple of trips in low light to the edge of the city, and knew there would be obstacles," said Capt. Shannon, Ch-46E Pilot, HMM-165.

Shannon, who has accumulated more than 60 flying hours since departing Miramar in mid-January, said everything seemed to be going well until the aircraft's front landing gear struck an elevated telephone wire. The passengers and crew were caught off guard and unnerved as the darkened helicopter struggled through the unseen wires. Although they were shaken up, the crew was able to carry on with their mission.

Due to the covert nature of the hostage extraction team's insertion, the crew was using light discipline and operating with night vision goggles. This meant there would be no runway or aircraft lights used near the landing zone, Shannon explained.

"It was dark near the landing zone, like flying in a black box," Shannon said. "Then all of a sudden it felt like weÕd been grabbed by a big hand."

The aircrew, who were manning their .50 caliber machine guns on both sides of the aircraft, had been watching for aerial obstructions as they prepared to enter the landing zone.

"I was standing in the door at my gun and saw the telephone poles," said Cpl. James, flight line crew chief, HMM-165.

"I thought one looked close to us and called out 'Tower!' but we had already hit the wire," said James, who has flown missions over Pakistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

The wire hit the front landing gear strut at an angle, causing the aircraft to violently tilt over on its side, James explained.

"One of the passengers and I were tossed around a little bit on impact, but we were able to recover," he said.

Shannon, who had been at the controls of the aircraft at the time of the wire strike, said both he and the pilot were able to maintain control of the helicopter, even though it had been pitched on an extreme angle.

"I thought we might crash after hitting the wire, but we remained calm and headed straight in for the landing," said Shannon.

The second aircrew member on the flight, Sgt. Paul, airframes mechanic, HMM-165, said the Rangers they were carrying didn't seem to notice the wild ride to the landing zone.

"This was the first time I've gotten to take part in a real insertion mission with (a special forces team,)" said Paul. "Those guys were locked on - their demeanor was impressive."

According to Paul, the last 60 seconds of the flight went smoothly, even for their passengers.

"We landed just like we were taught in training, and the Rangers were out of the helicopter as soon as the ramp was down, before we stopped moving."

At the end of the night, Paul said the crew finally had time to reflect on what had happened during what could be one of the most highly publicized missions of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

"The wire strike was one of those things you never think could happen," said Paul. "The wire could have wrapped around the rotor blades, or even flipped us over. We're lucky to be alive."

(Editor's note: For security purposes, only the first names of aircrew have been included in this story.)