Flight Record

Photo By Staff Sgt. Preston Malizia | U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Katelyn Lawrence, a staff weather officer, assigned to the 12th Combat Aviation Brigade, is graded on land navigation and map reading skills at Lielvarde Air Base, Latvia on March 31, 2022. 12 CAB is among other units assigned to V Corps, America's Forward Deployed Corps in Europe that works alongside NATO Allies and regional security partners to provide combat-ready forces, execute joint and multinational training exercises, and retains command and control for all rotational and assigned units in the European Theater. (U.S. Army photo by 1st. Sgt. Taofegauiai Cajina)  

LATVIA

04.04.2022

Story by Staff Sgt. Preston Malizia 

12th Combat Aviation Brigade

Lielvarde Air Base, LATVIA – The 1-3rd Attack Battalion, 12th Combat Aviation Brigade, recently held an orientation flight competition at Lielvarde Air Base, Latvia, on April 4, 2022. The competition was held to ensure that all service members had an equal opportunity for the chance to fly in the U.S. Army AH-64D Apache Longbow helicopter.

According to U.S. Army Regulation 95-1, Army aircraft may be used for orientation flights to satisfy specific retention or motivation objectives and be conducted as safely and efficiently as possible.

The competition consisted of five events: a weapons functions check, land navigation, operating a radio, CLS (combat lifesaver), and going before a board. Upon completion of the competition, 12 service members received an orientation flight on an AH-64D Apache Longbow helicopter.

"It is always great to recognize Soldiers who put forth the extra effort," said Lt. Col. David F. Roman, commander, 1-3rd Attack Battalion, 12 CAB. "It is especially impressive to give them the opportunity to see results of the challenging work they do every day."

All 12 flights were flown by Chief Warrant Officer 4 Joe Lorman, standardization pilot, 1-3rd Attack Battalion. Mr. Lorman presented everyone with their own Army Aviators flight record after the experience.

Flight records can be used by the rated aviator, crewmembers/non-crewmember, and unmanned aircraft system personnel to prove flight experience. Flight hours, or flight time, are when an aircraft moves under its power and stops after landing.

"It was an honor to be allowed to give back to those that make our day-to-day aviation operations possible," said Lorman. "In this event, I represented all the aviators of the 1-3rd Attack Battalion, showing our appreciation for all that they [Soldiers] do for us."

One participant, Master Sgt. Mandrell Douglas, 1st Sgt. , Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1-3rd Attack Battalion, shared how appreciative he was of the opportunity.

"This is the first time in my 20 years of service that I have been granted the opportunity to fly in an Apache," said Douglas. "The flight was amazing. I am so glad that I could do it, and I appreciate all the challenging work by the 1-3rd Attack Battalion and 12th CAB that went into making this happen."

Flight hours are recorded in 0.1-hour increments, which correspond to the resolution of a typical Hobbs meter, an odometer-like instrument installed in most cockpits. All 12 service members received 0.5 hours of flight time on their Army Aviators Flight Record.

"Not only is this a unique opportunity, but the orientation flight program also connects our Soldiers with our primary mission and gives them a greater appreciation for the efforts of every Soldier in our formation," said Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Christensen, command sergeant major of the 1-3rd Attack Battalion.

U.S. Army Spc. Adam Hinkel, a combat medic assigned to HHC, 1-3rd Attack Battalion, was another individual who was granted an orientation flight with Mr. Lorman.

"Such an amazing opportunity," said Hinkel. "There is no other place in the world where you can do such a thing in this specific aircraft, you are literally flying a tank, and I'll never forget this day."

12 CAB is among other units assigned to V Corps, America's Forward Deployed Corps in Europe that works alongside NATO Allies and regional security partners to provide combat-ready forces, execute joint and multinational training exercises, and retains command and control for all rotational and assigned units in the European Theater.

• Date Taken: 04.04.2022
• Date Posted: 04.29.2022 09:05
• Story ID: 418846
• Location: LV