Woman pilot who lost legs in Iraq 15 years ago returns as a US senator
Tammy Duckworth, the helicopter pilot who lost her legs when
she was shot down over Iraq 15 years ago, returned to the country for the first
time this week as a US senator, her office said Friday.
The decorated US Army veteran led an official congressional
delegation to Baghdad, Taji and Erbil, where they sat down with Iraqi leaders,
received intelligence briefings from American diplomats and met with US troops.
"Fifteen years ago I deployed to Iraq as an American
soldier to fly helicopter missions. This week, I returned in a role I never
expected: as a United States senator leading a bipartisan delegation to show
our support for the people of Iraq," the Illinois Democrat said in a
statement.
"I was proud to join Senators (Johnny) Isakson and
(Angus) King representing our nation on this important trip — and I was even
prouder that I was able to leave Iraq under my own power this time."
The senators met with Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abd al-Mahdi, President Barham Salih and Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani, among other
officials, according to Duckworth's office.
Honored to meet @SenDuckworth & her Senate colleagues. This was Senator’s first visit to Iraq since her combat injury while serving here in the war against terrorists. We honor her sacrifice, appreciate her continued commitment to helping Iraqis achieve enduring peace& prosperity pic.twitter.com/SWa1wXtW8i
— Barham Salih (@BarhamSalih) April 24, 2019
The trip was not publicly announced until after its
completion for security reasons.
The 51-year-old Duckworth, who was born in Thailand, is the
first female amputee elected to the US Congress. She almost never got that
opportunity.
Her life very nearly ended in Iraq on Nov. 12, 2004, about
120 combat hours into her tour there, when the Black Hawk helicopter she was
co-piloting was struck by an insurgent's rocket-propelled grenade.
As a fireball tore through the cockpit, Duckworth tried to
help land the chopper, but was unable to use its foot pedals.
King said he was moved at seeing his colleague return to
Iraq.
"To witness Senator Duckworth flying once again over
the site where she was shot down in 2004 was a moment I'll never forget,"
King said.
Duckworth's military experience has informed much of her
work as a legislator. She has sought to help disabled veterans and ensure
payment of troops during federal shutdowns.
She also has been outspoken about the importance of
defending members of the Kurdish minority who fought alongside US military
forces against ISIS.
In January 2018, when President Donald Trump accused
Democrats of holding the military hostage over immigration, Duckworth delivered
a withering Senate floor speech, saying "I will not be lectured about what
our military needs by a five-deferment draft dodger."