thread jack... I've only got one thing to say about that... That mother fucker had no right shutting down that site for a BS photo op, when ppl could still have been alive inside... <input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden">
Hm. The 149 maiden flight on Friday the 13th. http://www.agustawestland.com/news/aw149-performs-its-first-flight
I'm on a 1 year get away to Afghanistan, it's nice this time of year...the Mi-17 flies well in the cool air. The Afghan pilots and flight engineers are...well, occasionally sketchy but decent guys...most of the time. Occasionally we fly with Italian AB129 Mangusta's for armed escort in higher threat areas. A lot of those missions are flown with Mi-17's, Italian Chinook's and AB 412's all in the same formations. These are Italian Air Force AB 212's. They few with us for mutual support, we only had one Mi-17 working that day. This was a good time.
Flying with AB 412's My all Afghan crewed wingman with Italian Chinook. Following Italian Air Force CSAR AB 212's. This was a good time. Self portrait More dissimilar formation... We've seen RPG's and some small arms....but the was just plain crazy. A guy in field stood up and hucked at rock at a lead...traveling 130 knots or so...and 50' AGL. One in million shot. Fortunately...it was an easy fix. A Redbull can, some glue and clear contact paper. Yes...the Afghans few like this and no, the mission was not important. VFR....sorta on top. The Afghans fear the cloud monsters. Which is good, the Mi-17 is not IFR anything...so this is trolling for sucker holes.
We dropped into this.... Had to fly down this... To land here... More flying with the Italians... Between Zaranj and Farah...the middle of no where.
Just came from the land with helicopters everywhere...NZ. I did not go up in one as this girl never pays for her helicopter rides Anyway, saw a few along the way:
hi Guys: Base 4 in Cape Town is looking for pilots. R22, R44 and 206. Mostly sightseeing stuff around Cape Town. You will be working out of the V&A Waterfront which is nice.
More work with the Italians. Happy Thanksgiving! Just heard about a really cool order...or guidance sent down by the Guy in charge over here (of all of it). He told his commanders they need to work to lower morale by 10%...the troops aren't focused enough on the war... forgetting we're at war here. NICE! Mangusta wingman breaking away from us. working on lowering my morale the directed 10% Rare moment...Afghan gunner actually awake and looking outside! Italians and Afghans (with an American Air Force pilot and USMC aerial gunner) on the way to Bala Morghab. It was 5 ship...these were taken by one of our Mangusta wingmen.
I took a short flight in this Jet Ranger in Seaside Oregon a few weeks back. Weak and uninteresting compared to fighting wars or fighting fires, but a ride is a ride.
A friend of mine sent me this link. Lots of helis, penguins, ice, and boats! Very cool! http://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/396453-antarctica-trip.html
SMR this is some fantastic stuff. Actually, recently this thread has had some stunning shots. Page 269 is just a taste, but so good.
What the hell are you doing and where have you been? Dude, my dog gained 20 pounds since your last post
