Check in the block

I flew a night plane guard flight tonight.  I was actually the copilot this time.  I usually fly as the aircraft commander, being one of the senior pilots in the squadron, but I haven't landed on the carrier at night in several weeks and I haven't practiced a night rescue in a couple months, so I had to fly with another HAC (helicopter aircraft commander) who was current.  Needless to say, we got the "check in the block" and now I am current once more. 

Plane guard flights are when we provide search and rescue support during fixed wing flight ops (more often than not, we perform many other missions while we're airborne for plane guard--more on that later).  There must be a rescue platform immediately available during flight ops in case one of the jets has a problem or incase someone is blown off the flight deck.  The helicopter is always the first off the deck, and the last to land.  Throughout the flight day, we keep the helicopter airborne, coming in every few hours to change out crews and fill up on gas (the rotors keep turning) then off it goes again until the flight day is complete.  It's amazing how hard we push these aircraft.  A full day of flying often goes beyond 12 hours! 

The reliability of our helicopters is really a tribute to the skills and teamwork of our maintenance professionals.  They work 12 hours on, 12 hours off every day, 7 days a week while we're on the ship.  They work up on the flight deck under gruelling hot or cold (but always windy) conditions, or down in the hangar bay where it's often dark, humid, and almost as noisy as the flight deck at times.  They keep our helicopters in excellent condition and they do it with pride.  It's an honor to lead these amazing men and women and I learn a little from them every day. 

Today I learned that you can take a young helicopter squadron airman, recognize her as the Air Wing Sailor of the Day, and give her the opportunity to drive the ship for a while and she can do an awesome job!  I was afraid I might lose her over to the surface world--she seemed to enjoy having the helm of this incredible ship for a little while.  In fact, she held our heading steady during the launch of one of our helicopters--pretty cool.  She then had the opportunity to sit the Captain's chair on the bridge and have a casual chat with him while he explained what the ship would be doing over the next few weeks and months, about what it took to get the ship in and out of port, and other topics that left her with wide eyes.  Again, I'm very proud to lead these tremedously talented and dedicated young men and women.