“Wait a minute.  This doesn’t look like this is supposed to be here,” U.S. helicopter pilot Bobby Wayne Hall said to his copilot right before the helicopter shook violently with a thundering explosion, the windshield caving into the cockpit.

Losing power, the helicopter began a treacherous downward spiral.  In those last moments, the copilot, Chief Warrant Officer David Hilemon, said to Hall, “I’ve been hit.”  “Are you okay?” the pilot replied.  An ominous silence followed as the helicopter descended.