JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq - The "white birds" based here crisscrossed Iraq, ferried passengers, like Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, Multi-National Force — Iraq commander, and made sure they got where they needed to go in Iraq.
"Basically what we do here is support Gen. Odierno, the generals who support him and the VIPs who come in country," Capt. John MacHarrie said of himself and his fellow pilots. MacHarrie, Melbourne, Fla., was the company commander and a pilot with Company D, 6th Battalion, 52nd Aviation Regiment, which ran the white bird mission here. It was nicknamed that because the airplanes the Soldiers used were painted white.
According to the pilots who flew the white birds for Task Force 38, their mission is an important one.
"We ensure the top leaders in Iraq have transportation in Iraq," said Chief Warrant Officer William Sichterman, Rapid City, S.D., a pilot with Company F, 6th Battalion, 52nd Aviation Regiment based at Stuttgart Army Airfield in Germany.
One of Sichterman's fellow pilots reiterated that point.
"We have high priority passengers for a number of reasons - delegations, meetings and troop interaction," said Chief Warrant Officer Keith Lynch, Winder, Ga., a pilot with Company D based at U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden in Germany. "We get these guys out there for exposure to their troops."
The white bird pilots also said there were added benefits to flying in planes as opposed to other transportation modes, like humvees.
"The airplanes are faster. It's expeditious for them (the passengers), and it's a lot safer than ground transportation," Sichterman said. "It almost eliminates the risk of ambushes and IEDs [improvised explosive devices.]"
Lynch agreed.
"We can do it rapidly and safely, transport them to the location where they need to go, and that gives them more time with their Soldiers," said Lynch.
According to MacHarrie, besides generals, the white bird pilots also fly VIPs, ambassadors and foreign heads of state. In November they flew California governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, around Iraq.
"It was interesting to meet somebody famous like that," Sichterman said.
Yet the pilots weren't fazed by the star status of VIPs or generals, such as Army Chief of Staff, Gen. George W. Casey Jr.
"It was like a normal flight," said Lynch of flying Casey and other dignitaries around Iraq. "We give them the respect they deserve and let them do what they need to do."
Whoever the pilots flew, they were ready to do their job. On one flight MacHarrie was leaving his base to fly one of the white birds, and he sought to motivate his fellow pilots.
"Let's go do this. Save the day and win the war," he said.
| Date Taken: |
12.11.2009 |
| Date Posted: |
12.11.2009 10:35 |
| Story ID: |
42609 |
| Location: |
BALAD, IQ |
| Web Views: |
320 |
| Downloads: |
195 |
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This work, 'White bird' operations transport troops, VIPs, by MSG Jeff Lowry, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
