The 160th SOAR (Special Operations Aviation Regiment, also known as the Night Stalkers) recently held exercises in New York City, to the consternation of some residents who, after 9/11, aren't comfortable having aircraft fly past their windows at halitosis range.
Some of their pilots took advantage of the opportunity to show those near the river what they can do.
I doubt very much that was in the operations plan, but I bet they enjoyed it . . . and I'm sure they used the excuse of "But it's an important exercise!" to get away with it. Boys in uniform are still boys at heart. You ask me how I know this? Trust me. I know this. Been there, done that, and got several dozen T-shirts (and not a few scars) to prove it.
Peter
A few years back, I had email contact with my father's B-17 crew (the three of them still alive - my father passed away in 1973). They said there was a bridge in Scotland that German fighters would fly under sometimes when they crossed the Channel to Great Britain.
ReplyDeleteThe crew wanted my father - who they all said was an excellent pilot whom they trusted absolutely - to fly their B-17 under the bridge. After making sure the whole crew agreed, he did. Not long after that, the local Scots strung wires across to keep the Germans from flying under - as well as B-17s.
I'd think that particular flying was operational, they stay close to the ground as part of what they do.
ReplyDeleteI've gone out in Coast Guard helos with ex-Army pilots who talk about being uncomfortable flying over the water at 500', there training was down on the deck. Different jobs require different things.
That said I've flown under the Golden Gate bridge several times one day, the mission required that.
FWIW was worth I was a bit uncomfortable as I have few illusions about helos & things hitting the blades while in flight.
My youngest brother is an test pilot, instructor etc. at ft rucker. the army teaches tactical pilots to NOT fly low over water as it increases their visual signature a significant amount. water ripple reflect light like a beacon many times larger than the aircraft which is painted with non-reflective paint.
ReplyDeleteperhaps that is why army trained pilots don't like water. i don't suppose that the Coast Guard motto "gotta go out but don't gotta come back" may be disturbing to a pilot trained to think not just tactically but strategically(the next mission is also important), but i seriously doubt that has any bearing of military trained pilots.
"at a moment's notice anytime, anywhere, arriving time on target plus or minus 30 seconds."
ReplyDeleteThat is the 160th SOAR guarantee... and they deliver.
Low and fast :-) And there isn't a 'floor' per se over a river, unlike the 500' floor over populated areas...
ReplyDeleteMy Dad's helicopter lost a couple of wheels in the Chesapeake one day when the pilots were doing touch and go's in the bay because they like to see the wheels spin. Things happen. Sometimes the paperwork needs to get creative.
ReplyDeleteThese guys were awesome. It's been a great summer for planespotting in the harbor. Lots of military and vintage aircraft low over NY harbor this summer.
ReplyDeleteWe had someone in what I think was a perfectly restored Mustang buzzing us repeatedly taking pictures 2-3 weeks ago, but the Blackhawks must be doing something with identifying ships, because they've been slow-rolling over the anchorages checking out the boats a lot this summer.