Every now and then, something happens to remind me of the dedication and sacrifices of the men and women serving our country. Tonight, that reminder was a big punch in the gut for me.
Just as every time there is an accident, tomorrow someone will post that a Coast Guard helo crashed off Honolulu. I usually read these posts, feel a moment of regret and sorrow, and move on. Not this time.
I was on a visual approach to Honolulu tonight at 1500 feet when ATC called saying there was a Coast Guard helo at my 12 o'clock, 7 miles at 500 feet. A couple of seconds latter, ATC said they had lost primary radar contact on the helo and thought he might have crashed. Did we see anything? About a minute later I saw a single white light on the water, then a dull white glow and finally the crashed helo just under the surface. I reported this to ATC and they were able to get a position on the site. Within minutes there was a HANG C-17 and police helo at the scene with more on the way.
I did another trip to Maui and back, and was taxing in when the ground controller informed me that they had found 3 dead with 1 still missing.
It's been a few hours now and I keep thinking of that helo crew and their families. I've seen more than a few aircraft crashes and I've lost my share of friends. But for some reason, this one is hitting me hard.
To all of you currently serving and to the veterans among us - thanks.
To all of you actively flying - stay safe.
To all of you deployed or deploying - come back in one piece.
Just as every time there is an accident, tomorrow someone will post that a Coast Guard helo crashed off Honolulu. I usually read these posts, feel a moment of regret and sorrow, and move on. Not this time.
I was on a visual approach to Honolulu tonight at 1500 feet when ATC called saying there was a Coast Guard helo at my 12 o'clock, 7 miles at 500 feet. A couple of seconds latter, ATC said they had lost primary radar contact on the helo and thought he might have crashed. Did we see anything? About a minute later I saw a single white light on the water, then a dull white glow and finally the crashed helo just under the surface. I reported this to ATC and they were able to get a position on the site. Within minutes there was a HANG C-17 and police helo at the scene with more on the way.
I did another trip to Maui and back, and was taxing in when the ground controller informed me that they had found 3 dead with 1 still missing.
It's been a few hours now and I keep thinking of that helo crew and their families. I've seen more than a few aircraft crashes and I've lost my share of friends. But for some reason, this one is hitting me hard.
To all of you currently serving and to the veterans among us - thanks.
To all of you actively flying - stay safe.
To all of you deployed or deploying - come back in one piece.
