Memorial Day

Yes, I know, the rest of America celebrated Memorial day five days ago. As you might imagine, it was just like every other day for us. We worked, we flew, we sweated in the 120 degree heat on the flight deck. I haven't had a chance to write since then, so I'm going to write a piece now. I really appreciated 50 Toes' tribute last week. Especially the piece about the Class of '95 heroes who gave everything they had for their country. Megan McClung and I went though Plebe summer and much of our four years together at the Academy as company mates. She was a tough Marine with a heart of gold. I had lost touch with her after graduation until I learned of her death last year. I ask that you also remember these heroes in your prayers:

LTjg Laura Mankey from West Hills, CA
LT Adam Dyer from Lafayette, LA
AW1 Cory Helman from New Richmond, WI
AW2 Chris Will of Warren, MI

CDR Michael Shehan from Augusta, GA
LT Richard Anderson from Virginia Beach, VA
AW1 William Weatherford from Witchita, KS
AW2 Jared Rossetto from Corralitos, CA
AW2 Andrew Bibbo from Clinton, MA

The first crew, from HSC-3 in San Diego, perished when their MH-60S helicopter crashed into the water off the coast of San Diego on Jan 26, 2007 during a training flight from the USS Bonhomme Richard. This was less than a week after we left port in San Diego. The BHR is now here with us in the Gulf, having deposited their Marines on the beach to help with the stability and reconstruction efforts in Iraq. The detachment of MH-60S pilots remains on board the BHR, with a replacement crew covering the gap left by these awesome Americans who gave their lives in training for deployment. I flew with Petty Officer Helman while I was assigned to HX-21, working on new systems for the MH-60S. Our new XO is the senior member of the investigation board responsible for determining why the crash occured. Four months later, that investigation is still on-going.

The second crew, from HS-7 in Jacksonville, FL, perished on May 7, 2007 in the desert mountains east of Fallon, NV, during a Combat Search and Rescue training flight. Their SH-60F helicopter impacted a set of high tension power lines. The crew included the Commanding Officer of the squadron, who was a close friend of our new XO. They were flying a training mission on a route that we are all very familiar with under challenging conditions.

Since I left for deployment, nine brave pilots and aircrew gave their lives in training to do what we are out here for. I am continually reminded of the stakes we face and the responsibility that we are entrusted with as pilots of these machines. The job isn't easy and I honor those who are now gone by doing everything in my power to bring my crew home.

That's part of the reason I haven't been writing much lately. As Janell posted a couple days ago, it's been a tough week here. Our "mission set" has expanded a little, and I wish I could explain in a little more detail but suffice it to say that it's nice to not be flying plane guard every day, but wearing body armor for eight hours at a time is very fatiguing! Add to that, one of our helicopters has been down for over 12 days now, as we continue to battle the vibrations. While that's going on, almost every day we've had one or two other helicopters break, sometimes found during preflight, sometimes resulting in an emergency landing. The maintenance department has been very busy--thus I've been very busy. And the paperwork doesn't let up either. So, when it comes to writing in the blog or getting some sleep, sleep wins. See above paragraph.

For the first half of last week, I was getting up at 3am for 5 days in a row, working on the FCF. For the last couple of nights and continuing tomorrow, I'm flying until midnight or 2 in the morning. I just love those 12 hour circadian shifts. That's why I'm up writing now. I'm too tired to work on awards and evals, but I need to stay up just a little longer so I can sleep in late enough to stay awake late enough for my long late flight tomorrow. Follow? I think that sentence is my cue that it's time to wrap up. My brain is officially shutting down. Sorry the writing has been sporatic, but it's not for lack of things going on. I just wish there was a little less going on right now. As always, we'll continue to fly safe. Keep praying, none the less. Thanks.