Photo By Spc. Lalita Hazelett | Dave Beishline, a U.S. Army Special Operations Command Flight Detachment pilot, flies...... read more read more
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POPE AIR FIELD, N.C. - Mr. Dave Beishline guided me through the new hangar where all the Army aircraft are now housed. He showed me the buttons and knobs, and talked about the transition from analog to digital technology. His excitement was that of a brand new pilot showing off his new skills to proud family members, but Beishline is a seasoned aviator full of knowledge and passion.
After more than 28 years of active-duty military service and 19 years of active-federal service as a Department of Army civilian, Beishline, a pilot with the U.S. Army Special Operations Command Flight Detachment wraps up his career with one final CASA 212 aircraft flight during a very special event – Operation Toy Drop.
His career began in November 1967. After completing one year of college, Beishline entered the U.S. Army as a warrant officer, beginning his career in aviation. After completing basic training at Fort Polk, Louisiana, he went straight to Fort Rucker, Alabama, for aviation training, finishing in December 1968.
“I had a month’s leave and … 1 January, I was in Vietnam and was assigned to an assault helicopter company in Tay Ninh (north of Saigon),” said Beishline. “I did that for a year and came home and went back out for a second tour to Long Xuyen on Sanford Army Air Field, which at the time was the largest supply base in the world.”
After his two tours in Vietnam, Beishline went back to Fort Rucker to be an instructor pilot for three years. Then it was off to Germany.
“Germany was excellent!” exclaimed Beishline. “It was so good that I ended up extending and staying there for 10-and-a-half years.”
For the young war pilot, Germany was an exciting place to be with unforgettable views and a more relaxing schedule.
“Being stationed in Germany was like being in the states,” said Beishline. “Weekends you were off and you could take leave like you’d want to.”
Of all the places he’s been to, Europe was Bieshline’s favorite place to be for the scenery, but Fort Bragg won him over for operations.
“I really enjoy the mission we do here [at Fort Bragg], but for the chance of flying around in the scenery, Europe is incomparable. However, I think I get a real sense of satisfaction flying this mission here as part of supporting the school house for SWCS [U.S. Army J.F.K. Special Warfare Center and School] for the Green Berets, the Military Intelligence, Civil Affairs, etc. It is a bottomless pit of missions.”
He has had tours in Vietnam, Korea, Germany, and the U.S, all of which were during his active duty days as a Soldier. But in 1996, after more than 28 years of military service, Bieshline retired from the Army, as a Chief Warrant Officer 5, the highest rank obtainable as a warrant officer. However, he realized he just couldn’t stay away. Having fulfilled more than the amount of years needed for military retirement, and the offer of a new job at the USASOC Flight Det., he went from being an active-duty Army pilot to being a civilian contractor pilot, taking only 30 days of leave in between.
Little did he know that he would see the start, and all the way up to its 17th year, of what is now the largest combined joint airborne operation in the world – The Randy Oler Memorial Operation Toy Drop, which began in 1998.
“It just got bigger, and bigger, and bigger. Now it’s grown into a great seasonal traditional exercise we do. It’s a great cause, distributing all these toys. It’s good and a lot of fun and it’s very fulfilling.”
Having one if his last flights during the Toy Drop season means a lot to Beishline and he is proud of his service during Toy Drop since it’s start.
“It’s just a culmination of all the great work we do!” Beishline said excitedly with a warm smile on his face.
Matching his warm and welcoming personality, is his compassion to help others and to support his teammates.
“He’s a great guy to work with,” said Mr. Benjamin Pasquine, the standardization pilot with the USASOC Flight Det.
Pasquine, who has known Beishline for more than 17 years, works with him all the time. They even have lunch together every day.
“He’s very dependable and will always help you out with whatever you need,” added Pasquine. “He’s just an overall great guy to work with.”
Bieshline has offered a unique perspective to the USASOC Flight Det., with his experience from Vietnam.
“It’s rare for a guy to go all those years with aviation in the Army,” Pasquine explained. “And then to retire from aviation and go back as a civilian and do the same thing all over again,” Pasquine nodded in admiration.
“All those years in the Army, and all those years of experience weren’t wasted, he came right back here and used it again to help SWCS, and the command, and all of us around here,” he added.
| Date Taken: | 12.12.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 12.16.2014 11:07 |
| Story ID: | 150434 |
| Location: | POPE AIR FORCE BASE, NC, US |
| Hometown: | FORT JOHNSON, LA, US |
| Hometown: | FORT LIBERTY, NC, US |
| Hometown: | FORT NOVOSEL, AL, US |
| Web Views: | 146 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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