Rare, Unexpected, Opportunity

You never know what's coming next in life.

My Army career is now at four years plus. I'm in Army Aviation, and I'm trained as a helicopter repairer...

Yet, in my career thus far, I've not flown in an Army helicopter. The ones I work on don't have room for anyone but pilots. (It should be noted that I, like many others I'm sure, would have been MORE than happy to strap onto a wing pylon for a flight, but pesky Army regs... plus, the Safety brief would have taken days and I can only imagine the Risk Assessment!)

My current job incarnation has me being a driver (and pseudo-aide) to my Colonel and Command Sergeant Major (and other VIPs as designated). As such, I tend to go where they go (guess I should be nicknamed "AAFES").

Anyways, there was a large military event being hosted by a local high school. They'd invited all the branches, and the various recruiting commands were lending support. Our school had been asked to see if we could coordinate some helicopters to come by. We have no flyable equipment - it wouldn't be a good school for repairers if it all worked, right? - so we couldn't directly contribute. However, we're good Soldiers, and phone calls were made, and helicopters arranged.

Amazingly enough, all the paperwork went through, and no one nixed the plan. On Tuesday, I drove the survey team out to the location. Not a large landing area, but it'd be directly in front of the high school. The kids would love it. At the time, we thought the COL might come out, but when I asked him, he said he probably would not, as he wasn't expected to speak, and besides... he is very busy.

Wednesday, I was sick. Hospitalized briefly. Bad. Ugh. But, over it, and ok now.

Went to work on Thursday, expecting another routine day. Picked up the daily calendar and began the brief with the executive secretary. Observed that within the hour, it was listed as "Flight to Jamestown HS".

Flight?

Eh?

F-l-i-g-h-t???

See, our Colonel is retiring soon, and I guess he'd chewed it over, and decided he'd like one last flight in an Army helicopter. As it happened, we would be using the General's bird, a UH-1 "Huey" (rent any Vietnam flick, and you'll see it... it's the one all the Soldiers are leaping out of... see "We Were Soldiers"), and he'd flown it once upon a time...

So, I quickly map out the day, plan the logistics of the schedule, and quickly find myself at the airfield.

For today would be special... it'd be the Colonel's last flight in Army Aviation... and my first!

We had a pilot assigned, a crew chief, and for the passengers, it was the Colonel (in the Copilot seat up front) and the Command Sergeant Major and the Specialist in the back.

Doors open... we take off. Smooth as silk.

Beginning altitude of 500 feet, climbing to 1500. A little over 120 MPH. I'm having a BLAST.

My duty for the mission is to photograph the Colonel. As many pics as possible. I can't help but look out the window, and just enjoy it. The air as we cruise through the air, and the breeze coming from the giant ceiling fan up top... and being able to just lean out into the slipstream... The doors are open, I'm held in by all of one single seatbelt (with an amazingly minor latch)... and I'm not afraid a bit.

On the return flight, I even toyed with just dangling my feet out the door. Was an amazing rush.

And I can't thank my Command too much. It was an honor and a priviledge to go flying, and to participate in the Colonel's final flight (and wetting down).

Below are pictures of me preparing to fly (the photographer is the CSM) and our "Last Flight/First Flight" photo. Who has the bigger smile?