I have the E.Q. (Entertainment Quotient) of a 9 year old boy. So when my co-Cub Scout leader called to tell me she wanted to take the boys to a National Guard training site where we could watch a landing of both an Apache and Blackhawk helicopter, up close and personal, I was all over it.
We arrived at a small grassy field, among a few groups of National Guard in training. The Blackhawk came in first and landed about 50 feet from us. The wind and noise it created was incredible. The Apache landed shortly thereafter.
Once landed and secured, the boys were allowed to climb into the Blackhawk but not the Apache. Apparently, the Blackhawk is multi-function but the Apache is just for shooting up targets. Top Secret. Anyhoo, the pilot was invited to come and answer questions from the boys like what are those poky out things right there (static control), why are there blades on the back of the chopper (to stabilize it), where is the gas tank (behind the sliding door), and why is the horizontal blade curved (to minimize the vortex).
Pretty soon the boys ran out of questions and stood there staring at an increasingly uncomfortable pilot. In order to break the tension I asked a few questions like can the Blackhawk shoot hellfire (gasp from 9 year old boys. I said the "H" word), how is the barrell attached, where is it stored, how close do you have to be to the target before you shoot, and which button in the helicopter commands the release of the missiles. The pilot answered my questions calmly and without batting an eye.
In what I hoped was a moment his guard was down, I asked for the pilot's keys. "They're on top of the sun visor on the driver's side," he replied.
"I already checked. The is no sun visor," I said.
"Maybe they're in the ignition." I already knew they weren't there, either. He was clearly onto me. I had just found my first target.
Later one of the boys sat on a seat in the back of the Blackhawk and asked what he's supposed to do when he's all buckled up. "Pray to heck 'cause there's nothing you can do at this point if the enemy shoots down this baby," he said totally straight faced.
"Not at all appropriate!" I yelled at him. Secretly, he was starting to grow on me. It was a shame I'd be killing him as soon as found those keys.
We arrived at a small grassy field, among a few groups of National Guard in training. The Blackhawk came in first and landed about 50 feet from us. The wind and noise it created was incredible. The Apache landed shortly thereafter.
Once landed and secured, the boys were allowed to climb into the Blackhawk but not the Apache. Apparently, the Blackhawk is multi-function but the Apache is just for shooting up targets. Top Secret. Anyhoo, the pilot was invited to come and answer questions from the boys like what are those poky out things right there (static control), why are there blades on the back of the chopper (to stabilize it), where is the gas tank (behind the sliding door), and why is the horizontal blade curved (to minimize the vortex).
Pretty soon the boys ran out of questions and stood there staring at an increasingly uncomfortable pilot. In order to break the tension I asked a few questions like can the Blackhawk shoot hellfire (gasp from 9 year old boys. I said the "H" word), how is the barrell attached, where is it stored, how close do you have to be to the target before you shoot, and which button in the helicopter commands the release of the missiles. The pilot answered my questions calmly and without batting an eye.
In what I hoped was a moment his guard was down, I asked for the pilot's keys. "They're on top of the sun visor on the driver's side," he replied.
"I already checked. The is no sun visor," I said.
"Maybe they're in the ignition." I already knew they weren't there, either. He was clearly onto me. I had just found my first target.
Later one of the boys sat on a seat in the back of the Blackhawk and asked what he's supposed to do when he's all buckled up. "Pray to heck 'cause there's nothing you can do at this point if the enemy shoots down this baby," he said totally straight faced.
"Not at all appropriate!" I yelled at him. Secretly, he was starting to grow on me. It was a shame I'd be killing him as soon as found those keys.
GREAT post! My husband is National Guard and does this stuff all the time! He LOVES the questions that kids (and yes, parents too...) ask him! I'm so glad that you & your kids enjoyed it!!
ReplyDelete~ Jennifer
http://thetoyboxyears.blogspot.com/
I wonder if he'd have said the same thing if a dad had been standing there? I think he wanted you to hear him...maybe a little flirting in uniform was going on?
ReplyDeleteWow, cool field trip!
ReplyDeleteThat is so cool! I am adding that to my list of things to do. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteMy Uncle flew Black Hawks before he retired, I used to love to hear about his missions. I would also be all over this type of field trip, this is when I LOVE being a Mommy to so many boys!
ReplyDeleteCool field trip! Funny pilot, I love people who has a sense of humor!
ReplyDeleteUm how cool is that?? I'd love to my cubs there too!
ReplyDeleteSo you voted for Obama? Hrm. ... no comment.
AAaaaaaaaaaand I had to say your post bout the reunion was really nice-sounds like it was very fun!