Subject: NASCAR and Perspective
Ed Mitchell

I think this puts things in perspective as to where our priorities really are as a nation.

On 18 February 2001, while racing for fame and fortune, Dale Earnhardt died in the last lap of the Daytona 500. It was surely a tragedy for his family, friends and fans. He was 49 years old with grown children, one, which was in the race. I am new to the NASCAR culture so much of what I know has come from the newspaper and TV. He was a winner and earned everything he had. This included more than "$41 million in winnings and ten times that from endorsements and souvenir sales". He had a beautiful home and a private jet. He drove the most sophisticated cars allowed and every part was inspected and replaced as soon as there was any evidence of wear. This is normally fully funded by the car and team sponsors. Today, there is no TV station that does not constantly remind us of his tragic end and the radio already has a song of tribute to this winning driver. Nothing should be taken away from this man, he was a professional and the best in his profession. He was in a very dangerous business but the rewards were great.

Two weeks ago seven U.S. Army soldiers died in a training accident when two UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters collided during night maneuvers in Hawaii. The soldiers were all in their twenties, pilots, crewchiefs and infantrymen. Most of them lived in sub-standard housing. If you add their actual duty hours (in the field, deployed) they probably earn something close to minimum wage. The aircraft they were in were between 15 and 20 years old. Many times parts were not available to keep them in good shape due to funding. They were involved in the extremely dangerous business of flying in the Kuhuku mountains at night. It only gets worse when the weather moves in as it did that night. Most times no one is there with a yellow or red flag to slow things down when it gets critical. Their children where mostly toddlers who will lose all memory of who "Daddy" was as they grow up. They died training to defend our freedom.

I take nothing away from Dale Earnhardt but ask you to perform this simple test. Ask any of your friends if they know who was the NASCAR driver killed on 18 February 2001. Then ask them if they can name one of the seven soldiers who died in Hawaii two weeks ago.

18 February 2001, Dale Earnhardt died driving for fame and glory at the Daytona 500. The nation mourns. Seven soldiers died training to protect our freedom. No one can remember their names and most don't even remember the incident.

Ed Mitchell
OSA-CBM
Comanche Support Engineering
P.O. Box 16858 MS P10-87
Philadelphia, Pa 19142-0858


For the record, the six identified casualties were:

Maj. Robert L. Olson, a native of Minnesota. He was a member of Headquarters and Headquarters Service Battery, 2nd Battalion, 11th Field Artillery Regiment, and was assigned as the battalion operations officer.

Chief Warrant Officer Four George P. Perry,
of California, who was assigned to A Company, 2nd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, as a pilot.

Chief Warrant Officer Two Gregory I. Montgomery,
a California native, was also assigned to A Company, 2nd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, as a pilot.

Sgt. Thomas E. Barber,
a UH-60 crew member, assigned to C Company, 2nd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, was a native of Champlin, Minn.

Spec. Bob D. MacDonald, an Alta Loma, Calif.,
native who was assigned to B Company, 2nd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, as a UH-60 crew member.

Spec. Rafael Olvera-Rodriguez,
an El Paso, Texas, native, was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Service Battery, 2nd Battalion, 11th Field Artillery Regiment, as a field artillery crewman.

Click here for story from 25th Infantry Division

 

What really happened in Hawaii... from a friend.

My friend works for Avco Lycoming and this message was forwarded to him about that Blackhawk Helicopter crash on Hawaii recently.

Subject: 25th LID Blackhawk Crash

Received the following from friends at AMCOM. Scary how things can go to Hell when you're in a hurry.

A few of the OH-58D IPs here at Fort Rucker have friends in Hawaii flying with the 25th LID and have some of the details about this week's Blackhawk crash.

It was a dark foggy night and the flight of four Blackhawks was moving an artillery unit under NVGs. All four were loaded with the soldiers and chalks one through three were sling-loading the troop's ruck sacks while chalk four was sling-loading a Humvee. Chalk four fell back from the othe three about a mile from the LZ and accelerated to catch up.

It appears he misjudged his closure rate due to the low ambient light conditions. As chalks one through 3 were entering the LZ chalk four announced he would be unable to stop prior to the LZ and for everyone to move out of his way.

Chalk two and three broke off their approaches, one going left and one going right. Chalk one was already below effective translational lift and was about to punch off his sling-load to land faster. Chalk four flew over chalk one, dragging the Humvee through chalk one's rotor system, removing all the blades. Chalk one crashed to the ground and most, if not all, survived.

The Humvee going through chalk one's rotor system induced a pivot point on chalk four causing him to dive down and crash inverted. The Humvee swung over chalk four and then landed on his belly. Chalk two and three returned and landed in the LZ to render assistance. They only survivor they found on chalk four was the crew chief, but he died before they could extricate him.

It was a very bad day for Army Aviation.

 

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