Fly Girls

Whew! Saturday was a busy day! Derek had drill this weekend (that included Friday night, Saturday and Sunday), which always makes things a bit more busy for me. This was one drill I could not wait for. Since Derek has been a pilot, I have only seen Derek fly from the ground. I have sat in the helicopter with him, but I have never had the privilege to actually go up in one. That all changed this weekend. This is the first time they have allowed the spouses to go on an "Orientation Flight."

I could not have been more excited. Not only was I going to be spending the morning with some hunky men in uniform (I mean, lucky me), I was actually going up in a Blackhawk UH-60. They would not actually allow the pilot to be your spouse (I guess in case of an accident), so since I know most of the pilots and Derek trains them anyway, it was the next best thing. I knew I was in the best of hands.

We got to sit in a briefing and then we were off for our flight. Derek somehow arranged for me to have a really good seat. I sat at a door by myself with no windows. Yikes! I'm also known for getting motion sickness but they assured us the Crew Chief would have little baggies if we needed them. :)

It was SO fun! We got to see beautiful Arkansas from the air. We got to see lots of familiar places like the Arkansas River, our very fancy new baseball park, the Alltel arena, and mountains all from a aerial view. It was GREAT!

After all the sight seeing, the pilots took us back to the places they train doing maneuvers (I call them "tricks"). They hovered and turned circles and did sharp turns. I have to admit I thought about the baggie around this time. My favorite "tricks" were when the aircraft was sideways and they could fly it forward and backward even from the side. I also thought it was very wild when they gained speed and suddenly stopped like a car (in the air). I had no idea the Blackhawk could do that! It was very, very cool.

I have always been so proud of my husband and proud of his hard work and dedication to our country and the National Guard. Every time I watch him in an air show or just flying over our house on a routine mission, my heart swoons (and my eyes tear up, too). However, something about being inside the aircraft and seeing what they do and seeing what they see made me "get it." I totally understand now why he loves it so much.

I loved seeing Arkansas from the air. We really live in a beautiful state. We saw tons and tons of trees, lakes, ponds, mountains, and the river. There is no surprise why we are known as the "Natural State." It really is breathtaking in areas. Even as I enjoyed my flight, at one point, I tried to imagine what it must have been like to be in a combat zone flying low and fast trying to avoid being shot down. It made me sad a bit. There is no way I could possibly understand what Derek and his fellow soldiers felt or saw during those missions. I am so thankful and so proud.

Here are a few pictures from the day (warning: there are several)...

Derek and me in his office before the flight.

The wives going on the first flight.

The two Blackhawks ready for us.

The Crew Chief. He is in charge of securing passengers and cargo and providing maintenance. He also slipped us a note that read, "This is the best smellin' flight I have ever been on." I guess most crew members and pilots don't wear perfume and delicious smelling lotions! Ha!

Derek got me all strapped in my seat (which I loved). I was ready!

I was right behind the cockpit!

My hunky husband seeing me off.

The girls I flew with.

Tonya, if you happened to read this, I just wanted to tell you I thought about you the entire flight and was wishing so badly you were experiencing it with me!

A popular mountain that people hike. I could actually see people at the top.

A popular lake in Arkansas.

During one point of the "tricks," we were flying right above the treetops.

I can honestly say this was one of the coolest things I have ever done. I am so thankful I had the opportunity (finally), and I'm so glad I made it without the baggie!