Blackhawk Ride Along

[jhirsh5280]

I was extremely fortunate last week to be invited on a ride along in a Blackhawk out of Buckley AFB. Last year while working for Root Sports RM, a producer sent along an email from a Master Chief at Buckley looking for people to invite to the Honorary Commanders Programs for the Air Force Reserve Personnel Center. They wanted a former athlete to serve in this roll and found out that I was a supporter of Veterans and Military alike. Its been an incredible experience so far. Ive been welcomed into the ARPC family and met some incredible people including Brig General 'Bo" Mahaney who is in charge of ARPC. I had expressed to them that its always been a dream to go up a in a jet. Seeing as how Im 6'8" I knew my chances were slim to none however they did arrange a flight with a Blackhawk crew. Ill admit that I came in a little disappointed but extremely excited to ride along.

After going through all our safety checks, up we went. I happy to report that my view of helicopters has completely changed! What an incredible ride. Both the Pilots and Crew Chief were incredible masters of that machine. The ride was smoother than my drive down Quebec to get to work. We hovered around downtown (Coors Field) and out to Red Rocks before heading out east to their low level training ground. HOLY S#!T was that fun. We got as low as 40 feet from the ground zipping in and out of the trees, flying past coyotes, antelope, and bald eagles. We practiced one-wheel touches on some old ICBM silos and touches where the tail was hanging off a ledge but all wheels were down. Their control and coordination of the movements was surgical. I was amazed at how effortless the bird seemed to move up and down without hearing any sort of winding up of the engines (they later explained that if the engines wind up thats a bad sign).

On our way back, I was talking with the pilots and mentioned that if I could get every tax payer to do a ride along like that, the military would never have a shortage of funds to do what they need. Such an incredible experience and an incredible crew. I came away with a new found respect of helicopters and their crews and was not disappointed in the least. What our military is capable of is absolutely incredible. The machines and technology they employ are nothing short of amazing and every bit as powerful and functional.

I dont know if there are any Buckley members on this board but if there are...THANK YOU for everything you guys do! If there are any Colorado National Guard members....THANK YOU for everything you do! An experience of a lifetime!

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[jhood001]

Super awesome!

[Dave]

Makes me miss my Army days, my MOS was 15T which is the Black Hawk crew chief MOS. I spent a year with the COARNG at Buckley after my active duty contract was up, only got a few flights in, but the guys there in that unit are good people for the most part. (every unit has a douche nozzle or two) Out at the eastern training area in the summer they do sling load drills with the field artillery unit and both units practice air transport of the big guns. Flights up to HAATS in Eagle are a nice ride too.

[generalmeow]

You gotta be careful you don't tip that sumbitch over and fall in the blades - Jerky Boys

Looks fun!

[Bailey Guns]

That's way cool. Glad you got to do that.

[Chad4000]

Super jealous lol

[Doc45]

Congrats on a great opportunity!! Blackhawks are awesome helos. My son is a Flight Medic, E6, it's his regular ride LOL.

[mackbamf]

Very envious, that is awesome...

[Big E3]

Dang, I thought you were going to tell us a story about some drunk gambler that Blackhawk PD locked up while you were riding along. Then I was going to tell you to let Gunner know how to hook up for a ride along. But your ride along actually sounds like more fun.

[fullmann]

Excellent!

Im so jealous.