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I remember my first helicopter ride in a UH-1. I had my second in PLDC in Hawaii where they lifted us with 18 of them at one time. Was grand and gave me the push to apply warrant and go to flight school. <div><br></div><div>Old timers and new folks, share your favorite lift whether it was combat or training and maybe a little share as to why. I am a lift guy and really enjoy the mission, share with your friends here in Rally!</div>
Posted in these groups: 
Helicopters
Deployment
Helicopters Deployment
Edited 11 y ago
Posted 12 y ago
Responses: 46
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CH-47 is without a doubt my favorite lift. I do love the UH-60's though! I submitted an Aviator packet for the May WOC board! Fingers crossed!
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CW5 Sam R. Baker
SGT Reno, if you don't make it send me your packet and I will look at it, I sat last years assessment board and have had over 40 applicants I have mentored make it, only two fail in 26 years. This is a great place to call your OFFICE!
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CW5 Sam R. Baker
I try to do my best to assist warranted folks who have an interest in being "All you can be", wait that was decades ago! Ahhhh what the heck, I still think that is the best motto ever for the Army.
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Chinook.. loved the space inside and enjoyed being the last guy to get on during my last R&R flight out of Iraq. Nothing like flying over the city of Baghdad with the ramp down feeling that 90 some degree weather knowing that in a couple days you would be back home, and not on those roads looking for I.E.D's. I had a great view of the city out the back of that helicopter and it always brings back that memory.
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CW5 Sam R. Baker
Flying over Baghdad was incredible as I was at Taji and contributed to the Baghdad Airlift as we called it each night!
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MSG (Join to see)
Small world sir..I was also at Camp Cook, Taji. That "Baghdad Airlift" that you spoke of that took off at like 0100 but god for bid you were not there on manifest by civilians at 1800 :) Spent 15months there with surge then ended there on my last deployment. Thank god for Taco Bell and Pizza hut back then. Taji..... good times huh sir! LOL
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CW5 Sam R. Baker
I was Camp Taji 2005-2006, November to November, when 4th IDs CAB was there! We went to bed every morning about 0700 after eggs and got up at 1500 to report to the line about 1700 for night missions, never ever flew during the day for the entire year, did fly home with thy sun coming up though!
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MSG (Join to see)
I got there November 2006 - Jan 2008 then returned around April 2009-Jan 2010 as part of the inital pull backs of the FOBS back into the larger camps and Taji is where they pulled me back to. That place had changed alot and I could tell that they had spent alot of money. When I flew out in 2010 they flew us out C-130. I never even knew taji could have C-130's land there. I sometimes dream I am standing in line at the Camp Cook DFAC awaiting that steak and lobster.
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Definitely the CH-46 Sea Knight "Phrog"!
CH-53 Sea Stallion "Shitter" made me nervous.
Once got a ride in a UH-1 Iroquois "Huey". It was like a taxi!
CH-53 Sea Stallion "Shitter" made me nervous.
Once got a ride in a UH-1 Iroquois "Huey". It was like a taxi!
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I love the UH-60A/L. Favorite hands down. Chinook is second. I love flying a 60 but I cant find a job in the civilian world as a 60 pilot. Know any companies that need a decent pilot?
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CW5 Sam R. Baker
I'll check with a few folks, have seen places and friends on Facebook ask for applicants. There are also regional airlines looking for rotorheads to convert.
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All Helos... as long as flying to/back from where soldiers need to go and accomplished the mission...I love the CHINOOKs though.
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As a Marine in Viet Nam it was mostly the CH-34, hence the term "give me a Hus". Last of the piston operators. With a large supply of engines for B-17s and others, they found a home for all those radial engines. Not a bad ride.......except they took me places I didn't want to go and left me there!
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CW5 Sam R. Baker
CW5 (Join to see), I never really thought to go back that far Mark, but yes, I agree and appreciate your response. Frankly, anything coming to pick me up out of a bad situation is a good lift!
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CW5 (Join to see)
In my defense, I was but a mere youth at the time (19). But the Blackhawks in Iraq were a good ride!
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Have not been up in a helicopter yet. My unit is now assigned to an aviation brigade and some of the pilots I have talked to are going to try and get us in on a few training flights. Fingers crossed.
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CW5 Sam R. Baker
I try to include all support folks in orientation flights whenever possible. There are regulations and restrictions of course, like no training flight and emergency procedures, but ATM flights and AMRs in support where the customer doesn't max out the bird are great team building events. Good luck! Let us know after you give the CH and UH a try, unless you get an V-22.
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My beloved Kiowa. This was us in early 2003 with O Trp 4/3 ACR at TQ (Al Taquaddum)
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CW5 Sam R. Baker
SFC Mark Merino , you do realize that I can give three of those birds a ride under me and still have room for more don't you?
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SFC Mark Merino
Is that the plan for taking them to the boneyard now that they are being put out to stud?...lol. Oh,........I just made myself sad.
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CW5 Sam R. Baker
She is about gone completely now, I think Fort Bragg was the last strong hold for the Kiowa. I can tell you she is missed for the recon mode of flight and the AH is a tad bit to heavy and maintenance intensive for the mission of scout.
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My favorite was the then brand new osprey. It took us across the AO to where I did my stint in Lioness in Iraq in 2007. Only bird I didn't get severely queasy in, or at all!
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CW5 Sam R. Baker
I have never had the privilege of trying out the osprey and feeling that rotation to forward flight, I hear it is intense and something to get used to, thanks for sharing your experience.
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Sgt Jennifer Mohler
It was a very smooth ride. If you stand too close it will knock you over though! I had my full MOLLE pack and it still knocked me on my ass lol.
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