By Sgt. Gregory T. Summers
4th Combat Aviation Brigade Public Affairs Office, 4th Infantry Division
On a cool and overcast afternoon before a long Labor Day weekend, veterans of the Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 115 visited Soldiers and aviators of the 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, at Fort Carson, Sept. 1, 2016.
As part of an annual reunion that visits a different military installation every year, Marine veterans from World War II and the Korean and Vietnam wars chose the Mountain Post as their tour destination Sept. 1, 2016.
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Ryan C. Ramsey, CH-47 Chinook helicopter pilot, discusses payload and capabilities of the CH-47 Chinook cargo helicopter with veterans of the Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 115 at Butts Army Airfield Sept. 1, 2016. (Photo by Sgt. Gregory T. Summers)
“We were honored to meet the veterans and show them our equipment and what we do here at Fort Carson,” said Chief Warrant Officer 3 Kenneth E. Lett, instructor pilot, 2nd General Support Aviation Battalion, 4th Aviation Regiment, 4th CAB.
The former “Silver Eagles” of VMFA-115, primarily pilots and logisticians of F-4 Phantom II fighter jets, received a hands-on tour of Butts Army Airfield, flight simulators at the Aviation Combined Arms Tactical Trainer (AVCATT), and airframes of the AH-64 Apache, CH-47 Chinook and UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters.
The day began with a briefing from Clair Smart, Butts Army Airfield flight simulations facility manager, to inform the veterans of the 4th CAB mission, capabilities and advanced technology training resources available to its pilots.
The veterans were able to climb into the cockpits of AH-64 Apache, CH-47 Chinook and UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter flight simulators at the AVCATT and experience a better understanding of today’s aerial arsenal.
The tour also included lunch with Soldiers at Fort Carson’s Warfighter Dining Facility that gave the visitors an opportunity to relive the military dining experience, according to Dr. Jon Wallestad, VMFA-115 tour leader.
“It’s been several years since I’ve been in a military dining facility,” said Wallestad. “It brought back some memories and I’m grateful to share this experience with these Soldiers.”
Chief Warrant Officer 3 Jason Pell, squadron maintenance officer, 6th Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, discusses aerial attack capabilities of an AH-64 Apache attack helicopter with a Marine World War II veteran of the Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 115 at Butts Army Airfield Sept. 1, 2016. (Photo by Sgt. Gregory T. Summers)
The day ended at the airfield’s hangars where the veterans got up-close and personal with 4th CAB’s Soldiers and aircraft and discussed their purpose and capabilities.
“We are very grateful for what the Soldiers of this unit did for us,” said Wallestad. “The individuals who briefed us and showed us around were incredibly intelligent and knew their aircraft and jobs very well.”
Although the event lasted just one day, the memories made throughout the visit will be long-lasting, according to Lett.
“Having the opportunity to converse with these veterans and thank them for their service while highlighting our duties and responsibilities left me with a good feeling,” Lett said. “What a great day to be in our combat aviation brigade.”