Day at the River

[Flying Pig]

River rescue training day.  We have several drownings per year in the Kings and San Joaquin Rivers.  We have actually performed real life rescues using skid deployment technique.  And so everyone is aware......the tail rotor is not hitting the water.  It is a risky technique, but a necessary one.  Ive actually been submerged up to mid thigh on several deployments.   We pull them up on to the skid, or if they are unconcious we lay them over the skid and fly them out.  The flight officer is harnessed into a hardpoint.

[♠SARKID♠]

Wow, how long have you been doing that?

[Flying Pig]

Ive been in the unit about 2 1/2 yrs.  The unit has been in around since 1997.

[♠SARKID♠]

Wait, you're not talking about a CAP unit are you?

[Eclipse]

Wait, you're not talking about a CAP unit are you?

Sure he is - doesn't your unit have a helo?

The majority of Wings have been transitioning from fixed wing to rotorcraft over the last 4 years, and it is planned that there will only be a hand full of 172 & 182's left in the fleet by 2012 - mostly for transport and O-flights - most regions will share 1 or 2 planes in total.

Most units have been flying surplus Bells & Hueys, but since last year the USAF has been deploying newer Blackhawks.  A side benefit of the Blackhawks is that they are much easier to fly, and the maintenance cost per year is about 1/3 of the average fixed-wing Cessna.

[Flying Pig]

Wait, you're not talking about a CAP unit are you?

Dont worry....your wing didnt get left out of anything.  No its not CAP.

[Eclipse]

Spoilsport....

[Flying Pig]

I know......but he seemed so sincere