Anybody who doesn’t realize the importance of the helicopter in modern day life just needs to turn on the TV… Watching today, I’ve seen virtually every service and type of helicopter there is being used to help with the hurricane. Army Guard Blackhawks, USCG 60s & 65s, Navy 60s… All doing rescue. Chinooks doing evac. Army 60s are now dropping slung loads of sand into the levee breaches, and they’ve also brought in Marine 53s (probably off the ARGs now in the area) to also help plug the levees. They’ve even shown some Cobras patrolling the area, and there was what looked to be one of the HMX-1 60’s. They have temporary evac heliports set up to fly rescued people into, and there’s a constant flow of helos coming in and out of those spots. It’s hard to imagine how much worse things would be without helicopters.
I got to agree.
out here on the west coast my reserve squadron has gotten word of a possible deployment to an east coast aircraft carrier to support efforts there. i imagine hundreds of helos filling the skies around New Orleans.
Yep, we’re gearing up to go too… Looks like our Hook company is going down there. I’m trying to hitch a ride, but I won’t know until Tuesday whether or not I’ll have to ride with the ground convoy. Should be interesting…
The President had quite a formation today… Looked like at least 3 53’s, a 46, and two VIP 60’s. I just wish things were better for the people down there… Definitely lots of misery.
Jon
I may see you there. Just got back from BNCOC yesterday and I am waiting on instructions/orders. Half of the company is there now. It looks like I will work maint. support in the rear for a week or two and then go down when we rotate a/c for heavy maint. I don’t have any info on where our guys are right now, but if you see Blackhawks with the last three in gray, that is us.
Not unusual to see in just one camera shot of a part of town, half a dozen or so helicopters flying around picking up people or shuttling supplies. I just saw Pave Lows evacing people off an interstate and a couple of Pave Hawks today on the news too. Article on af.mil talked about Davis-Monthan sending a few HH-60Gs along with PJs to assist. I got an e-mail back from Salbando and even the AK ANG has sent a couple of C-130H3s.
Firehawk Ordie - I heard on the news night before last that it’s the USS Harry S. Truman that will operate as a floating command and control center off the N.O. coast?
Trigger,
you got it, the call has gone out for helos and maintainers. The H-3 squadron next door is on 24 hour alert. Our squadron will know tuesday if we have to deploy.
I’m proud to say my gunner from Nam in the 174th AHC, Mike Gunnels is now a Crew Chief in the LA National Guard Medevac Unit out of Alexandria, LA and they were among the first helicopters hoisting Katrina survivors off the roof tops. I haven’t been able to talk to Mike yet, but to see two old Vietnam Vets, Mike and the Huey saving lives gave me goose bumps! And neither one got any “press”! God Bless all those Aircrews! Especially the first ones in!
What is the age limit/requirments these days for a civilian to be able to still get in and possibly hold a position like that? Just curious. I assume it’s pretty young, but I would love to do something like that. I do have limited Pilot time, but I would be happy just to ride.
I’ll keep an eye out for you. If you see anyone wearing Keystone shoulder patches, I’ll probably be close by. Just look for the clueless 2LT in the ACUs. [;)]
Just got the call today to saddle up Miss Piggy and get the pride of the fleet in action tomorrow. Just look for a tall goofy crewchief around in the middle of a bunch of pig patches. I’m the one with an Atlanta Falcon and a Wookie on his visor cover.