Photo By Spc. Nadine White | Chief Warrant Officer 3 Nathan Champion, a pilot with the California Army National...... read more read more
By Sgt. Nadine White
69th Public Affairs Detachment
MIDDLETOWN, Calif. — During California’s wildfire season, the Cal Guard’s pilots and crews work longer and busier shifts than normal to combat the aggressive flames and their destruction. A day in the life of a pilot starts early and ends late, but they never hesitate to do what is necessary to keep California safe.
Thursday, 30 July, 2015
19:00
While out with his wife and friends, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Nathan Champion, a UH-72 Lakota helicopter pilot with the California Army National Guard’s 3-140th Aviation Battalion, receives a call.
“I got a call. My commander said, ‘Hey we’ve got these fires going on and we need you to come in to work the fires tomorrow (Friday).’”
He goes home and packs a bag and prepares to spend possibly a week in the field.
Friday, 31 July, 2015
06:15
Champion, who lives in Elk Grove, drives 45 minutes to Stockton where his unit and aircraft are located.
07:15- 08:00
Upon arriving at his unit, he receives a morning briefing and learns that his commander and fellow pilots completed his mission plan the previous night. Because pilots are only permitted to work 14-hour days, having this already done saves him valuable time.
“Not having to fuss with logistics and paperwork maximizes my time to spend out at the fires,” he said.
Following the briefing, Champion conducts his standard pre-flight aircraft inspection.
He then flies to Mather Air Field near Sacramento.
08:30
Champion lands at Mather, where he meets up and conducts a safety brief with his CAL FIRE helicopter coordinator.
It’s not until he is at Mather that he learns which wild land fire he will be flying over.
09:30
Champion and his CAL FIRE Helicopter Coordinator (HELCO) depart from Mather and head for the Rocky Fire helibase at Crazy Creek Glider Port near Clearlake, California.
10:20
The Lakota arrives at the Rocky Fire Helibase.
Champion and his HELCO check in with the helibase manager and give their flight hours thus far.
“We’re only allowed to fly seven hours per day, but we’re allowed to have a 14-hour duty day,” said Champion. “We spend some time on the ground, mission planning, coordinating or briefing. Sometimes it’s smoky and we can’t go fly, so we just have to sit and wait.”
The aircrews receive a briefing of the current operations of the fire, what radio frequencies are being used, what hazards are out, where the fire is most active, where they can concentrate their efforts.
Throughout the day
Champion and all other pilots wait for the call. The aircraft number and mission will be released over a loud speaker along with what time the flight will occur.
“During our ground time, we’ll drink lots of water; it’s very hot out here. Or eat a meal.”
The aircraft and crews rotate on flights; one Lakota will be flying over the fire while the other is grounded. When the aircraft or crew in the air needs to be relieved, the other will fly.
“Ideally there is always a HELCO over the fire,” said Champion. “Flight time ends at sunset.”
| Date Taken: | 08.06.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 08.06.2015 15:36 |
| Story ID: | 172381 |
| Location: | MIDDLETOWN, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 233 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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