Ripley's Believe it or Not

Helicopter Rotors glowing due to Kopp-Etchells Effect

Ripley’s Believe it or Not has asked to publish one of my photos in their next book. This photo was made in Sangin, Afghanistan during the last time I was with British forces. Sangin is the most dangerous place in the country. The enemy is good and the fighting is serious. The area freaks out some people. Sangin is a courage tester and every mission I half expected would be my last. Over a hundred British soldiers were killed in the area and now our Marines are well on the way to top that. Sangin brings no-kidding combat. Helicopters land on small bases at night without lights. A few minutes walk from where this photo was made, another helicopter was shot out of the sky apparently with an RPG. Many nights, when the helicopters land, the rotors glow due to the Kopp-Etchells Effect.

The photographs I made of the Kopp-Etchells Effect at Sangin have been seen in many countries around the world, and soon will be published in Ripley’s Believe it Or Not. You are welcome to download a copy for a single personal use only. Please click Kopp-Etchells Photo to download.

My new book Iraq: Inside the Inferno 2005 – 2008 is now available for pre-order from my publisher here.

A portion of the proceeds from each book sale will benefit the great organization Soldiers’ Angels. Our ultimate goal is to raise $50,000.00 for Soldiers’ Angels and we are already well on our way. While we sell this new book, I am asking my supporters and readers to buy it to both support me and my mission and to support Soldiers’ Angels. You will also get a great book. I am back in action (as if I ever left) and my publisher is making royalties on this new book available far in advance of when they would be in a traditional publisher-author arrangement. I am able to keep at it because of you and your help.

Thank you. You may pre-order Iraq: Inside the Inferno here.

— Your writer, Michael Yon