Saying goodbye to the juice and green air

Photo By Staff Sgt. Bryanna Poulin | The 25th Combat Aviation Brigade commander presents awards to Chief Warrant Officer Charles Carlos Cantu, a CH-47 aviator with 3rd Battalion 25th Aviation Regiment, 25th CAB, at Contingency Operationg Base Speicher. Cantu retired Aug. 5 after 32 years of service in Army aviation.  

TIKRIT, IRAQ

08.15.2007

Story by Staff Sgt. Bryanna Poulin 

25th Combat Aviation Brigade

By Spc. Bryanna Poulin
25th Combat Aviation Brigade Public Affairs

TIKRIT, Iraq — Disco and polyester pants are a few of the reminiscences people have of the 70s. However, for one young man, growing up in the 70s is a reminder of the Army recruiter giving him the wrong job, a mistake that would ultimately have a lifelong effect.

On Aug 5, 1975, with hair down to his shoulders, wearing faded blue jeans with holes in them, Chief Warrant Officer Charles Carlos Cantu, an aviator with 3rd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, was on his first Army flight to Ft. Jackson, S.C., to attend Basic Combat Training with the dream of being an Army firefighter ... but as destiny would have it, Cantu had a different path to take.

"I thought I signed up for fireman, and the recruiter gave me aircraft fire control repairman," Cantu who is a native of Houston said with a chuckle. "Following basic training, I was sent to combat basic electronic training and wondered why firemen went to electrical repair school."

Quickly, Cantu realized the slip-up when he made his way to Advance Individual Training (AIT) and to his surprise; the fire stations were actually aircraft hangars.

"When I walked into a hangar and saw a Cobra helicopter, I was confused on why there weren't any fire trucks," he said with a laugh. "I realized then; my job was to repair missiles fired from cobras ... that's how I got into aviation."

As Cantu continued his enlisted career working on Cobras, fate would once again step in taking the Soldier on a different path.

"I was working on a helicopter and I saw this kid walking across the hangar with his clearing papers ... I found out he was leaving for flight school," Cantu recalled vividly. "I was amazed ... I thought only doctors or lawyers could be pilots, so I took my Army Flight Aptitude Test (AFAST) and was on another plane to flight school."

Throughout the next 30 years, Cantu whose friends call him Chico would experience things that most people only dream of, while continuing to overcome challenges both personally and professionally.

"The biggest heartache I had in my career is joining after the Vietnam War and not being able to do my part immediately in a combat zone," he said somberly. Nevertheless, in 2004 we were activated and I had to get the guys (aviators) proficient enough to deploy ... it was one of the biggest challenges for me, but I finally felt like I was giving something back from all the training I received from the Army."

Still, Cantu would face another fork in the road when he became a single parent to a pre-teen daughter that was more interested in makeup and boys than family time.

"Being a single parent I had to manage time, health, money and love while establishing values in her," Cantu gleaming as he spoke of his daughter. "I had to balance the time I spent working, as well as making sufficient time to be a dad to her...not just a father but a dad."

Instilling values in his daughter was imperative to Cantu, even during times when his daughter would rather hang out with her friends.

"Sundays were family day, and we spend that day together whether she liked it or not," Cantu said with a grin. "I would sit at the picnic table on the beach and she would sit in the car sulking ... after about a half hour she would get out and we would have fun for the rest of the day ... it's growing pains but I wanted her to understand the importance of family values."

Through challenges and interpersonal relationships the Chinook pilot spent 32 years serving with aviation units and making a significant impact on those he interacted with.

Cantu recalls his days of being an instructor, and a brigade commander was so impressed after sitting in on a class, that Cantu was awarded an impact Army Achievement Medal (AAM).

"One of the highlights I have had during my career is being able to mentor and instruct people," Cantu reveled. "I love it."

Although Cantu was a mentor and teacher to some, he emphasized the team concept is paramount for aviation Soldiers.

"It's not just one person making things happen but an entire team," he noted. "It's the pilots, crew chiefs and door gunners that make for a safe and uneventful outcome during missions."

The team effort came together Aug 5, as Cantu's friends gathered to witness Cantu fly his last flight at Contingency Operating Base Speicher.

"Ironically, 32 years later from the exact date I joined the Army, I flew my last flight as an Army aviator," Cantu said to his friends at his retirement ceremony Aug 5. "What better place to have your last flight than in a combat zone with all of your friends."

Cantu stated that there would be a number of things he is going to miss about Army aviation and flying in a combat zone.

"I am going to miss the 'juice'...the adrenaline rush from flying an air assault mission," he concluded. "I will also miss flying the 'green air' (flying with night vision goggles), along with all the guys joking around and having fun out here."

During his 32-year tenure, CW4 Cantu has accomplished more than 11,000 hours of accident and incident free flight time, and has accomplished more than 1100 hours of combat flying time, which included 288 combat missions.

• Date Taken: 08.15.2007
• Date Posted: 08.15.2007 13:19
• Story ID: 11824
• Location: TIKRIT, IQ