Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Leticia Samuels | North Carolina National Guard Army aviators are recognized alongside the famous Blue...... read more read more
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RALEIGH, N.C. – North Carolina National Guard AH-64D Longbow Apache attack helicopter pilots battled severe snow fall and gusty wind conditions to perform a flyover as part of the pre-game festivities at the 114th annual Army vs. Navy football game at the Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Dec. 14.
The experienced Apache pilots were members the 1-130th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, headquartered in Morrisville. The unit was selected by the National Guard Bureau to represent the state of North Carolina and their aviation unit with this honor.
“It was close, we almost didn’t make it,” said Maj. Fredrick Keller, a NCNG supervisory instructor pilot, who was the officer in charge of the operation.
Due to the adverse conditions and effects on the aircraft, the flight was almost scrubbed.
Due to the weather conditions last year, these crews could not execute this task, but being selected for the second time by the director of the Army Aviation at the Pentagon Headquarters for the Department of the Army, gave the 1-130th ARB another opportunity to show their flying skills during one of the nation’s most esteemed sporting events.
In preparation for this special mission, the pilots practiced a week before the game in North Carolina, in order to work out all of the kinks with their formation flying and to become familiar with flying in unfavorable weather that may affect the helicopters’ performance.
The maintenance crews from the 1-130th successfully serviced the aircraft throughout the training, air movement to Philadelphia and the execution of the flyover.
Being selected gave the crews the ability to finish what they started from last year, which was a big motivator to all involved.
“It was a terrific honor to be a part of the flyover,” said Keller. “It is certainly one of the highlights of my flying career.”
The meaning of this mission was made even more significant when you consider that Army aviation can only be granted flyover permission at the highest levels of Department of Defense.
The Army and Navy pilots that shared the skies this year were also recognized on the field and thanked individually by name in the second half for their hard work and efforts that were necessary to make this event a success.
“Working with the Blue Angels was also an added amazing experience and representing the North Carolina National Guard in support of USMA [U.S. Military Academy], USNA [U.S. Naval Academy], and the U.S. military for an event such as this is something I will never forget,” said Keller.
“It’s a feeling of pride for this state and for our guys because their flyover was an international event,” said Chief Warrant Officer 3 Jimmy Suggs, state aviation operations and training officer for the NCNG.
Suggs assisted the 1-130th ARB with ensuring all of the proper guidance was followed and that the mission received appropriate approval from various agencies.
“You have the president and the vice president watching this event, and our birds are flying over, not active duty aircraft; you're NCNG flying over,” said Suggs. “It makes me proud and honored to have even touched just that small part of this mission.”
“It took a lot of work from over 20 pilots, maintainers and support personnel to ensure that the mission was accomplished safely and precisely,” said Keller.
| Date Taken: | 12.17.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 12.19.2013 17:54 |
| Story ID: | 118495 |
| Location: | RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 171 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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