25th CAB Pilots earn Broken Wing Award

Courtesy Photo | This OH-58 Kiowa, damaged during training in Hawaii in February, was successfully landed by pilots Capt. John B. Davis and Chief Warrant Officer Steven K. Huiton despite severe damage to its main rotor.  

TIKRIT, IRAQ

11.27.2006

Story by Spc. Daniel Bearl 

25th Infantry Division   

By Spc. Daniel Bearl
25th Combat Aviation Brigade Public Affairs

TIKRIT, Iraq – Two pilots with the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade were awarded Broken Wing awards Nov. 27 for successfully landing a damaged aircraft during training at Pohokoloa Training Area in Hawaii Feb. 23, 2006.

Capt. John B. Davis, commander of Troop B, 2nd Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, and Chief Warrant Officer Steven K. Huiton, the safety officer for 2-6 Cav., managed to safely bring down the OH-58 Kiowa they were flying after one of the craft's rotor blades was damaged while firing rockets during a training exercise.

"During the [training] the first three rockets left the tube with no issue and impacted the target," Davis said. "When CW3 Huitron fired the final rocket, the aircraft immediately began to severely vibrate and shake. This is when we realized that something had happened to the aircraft."

Though the blade was severely damaged during the accident, the pilots were able to quickly work together to bring the helicopter to the ground in rough terrain at a spot just four feet wider than the craft's rotor blades with minimal damage resulting from the landing.

The crew's quick reaction and teamwork were the deciding factors in safely landing the craft, Davis said.

"The crew is a team at the lowest level and we both contributed to a successful landing," Davis said.

"When you're able to see an event here that could have led to catastrophic results, but the air crew falls back on its training, successfully lands the aircraft. That inspires confidence in the rest of the air crew members," said Col. A. T. Ball, the commander of the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, 25th Infantry Division.

• Date Taken: 11.27.2006
• Date Posted: 12.26.2006 11:26
• Story ID: 8672
• Location: TIKRIT, IQ