Managing editor
It was a typical workday March 25 for most people in Marion County, except for a group of business professionals who had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to fly in a H-60 Blackhawk helicopter.
Kansas National Guard 108th Aviation Company of Salina flew employers and other professionals from Marion, Burlington, and Dodge City from their respective airports to the Kansas National Guard Training Center in Salina. The flight was part of the Boss Lift program to give business leaders an opportunity to experience similar training as soldiers and encourage employers to support troops as they serve.
Greg Carlson, Alex “Casey” Case, Stacey Collett, Todd Heitschmidt, Doug Kjellin, Mickey Lundy, and David Mayfield of Marion and Jim Cloutier of Hillsboro boarded the 30-year-old aircraft at about 8:45 a.m.
After receiving a briefing of emergency procedures, dispensing of earplugs, and being safely strapped into jump seats, the helicopter was ready for takeoff.
While one crew member stayed outside of the helicopter and observed any mechanical problems, the pilot fired-up the engine, sending the two propellers into motion.
The helicopter hovered above the ground just a few feet for several seconds before tilting forward, nose first, and began its ascent into the wild blue yonder.
Within 30 minutes, the helicopter landed in Salina. Employers and business professionals from the other participating cities joined the Marion Countians.
The visitors at the training center participated in simulated exercises on M-16 and M-4 rifles and a Bradley fighting machine.
“It was a tremendous experience,” Lundy said.
She particularly appreciated learning about a program that supported national guardsmen while deployed.
“The program encouraged employers to support their employees who are serving and may be called to active duty by holding their jobs for them,” Lundy said.
For Case, he was surprised that the flight in the helicopter was so different from that in an airplane.
“It was pretty loud,” he said, “but it was a smooth ride. It wasn’t anything like flying in an airplane.”
Case enjoyed the convoy simulator where four vehicles were maneuvering the streets of Baghdad.
“Weather conditions were perfect,” Heitschmidt said.
He was most impressed with the fact he was shooting with actual machine guns and rifles.
“We were sitting inside an actual tank and visually seeing Iraq terrain, firing on the enemy,” Heitschmidt said.
“The helicopter flew just high enough so we could see individual farms,” Carlson said. “It was really great.”
Kjellin said he had flown in helicopters and small aircraft at a previous job.
“The flight was stable,” he said. “It was very interesting to see Marion from 700 feet.”
Collett said he had been in a sightseeing helicopter but this was different. For him, small arms firing and riding in the convoy were intense. He drove the lead vehicle and was amazed at how realistic it was.
“We got a feel for what the military is going through,” he said.
Mayfield said he was in awe of the actual cost if soldiers were to train only in the field.
“We were told that each bullet we shot costs $75 each and each TOW missile was $6,000 each,” Mayfield said. “With all the rounds we shot, we could see that if they used live rounds and equipment for training, it would cost a fortune to train personnel how to operate them.”
Visitors were told it takes six months of training in the simulators for a soldier to become proficient operating the tanks and one year to become proficient with weapons.
“Our soldiers who are in battle are first rate,” Mayfield said. “If they can accomplish all of these scenarios, I can see where their training would be very intense.”
“It gives you an appreciation of the military and all they do for us,” Kjellin said.
The group returned around 2:30 p.m. to the Marion airport.
About the program
Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) was designed as a way to gain and maintain employer support for guard and reserve service by recognizing outstanding support, increasing awareness of the law, and resolving conflicts through mediation.
Guard and reserve personnel typically have full-time jobs, families, and the responsibilities that come with those. When called to duty, it is important their employers understand the importance of the soldiers’ roles in the military service and the importance of these soldiers have jobs when they return.
A committee was formed to promote this program, which included flying employers in the Blackhawk helicopter to the training center in Salina and asking the employers for continued support of soldiers and their employees if their employees are guardsmen or reservists.
About the helicopter
The Blackhawk is the U.S. Army’s front-line utility helicopter, which is used for assault, air cavalry, and aero medical evacuations units. It is designed to carry 11 combat-loaded, air assault troops, and is capable of moving a 105-millimeter howitzer and 30 rounds of ammunition.
Its cruising speed is about 150 mph and weighs between 20,000 and 22,000 pounds.
Crew generally is two pilots and two crew chiefs.
On an asymmetric battlefield, the aircraft provides the commander the agility to get to the battle quicker.