A helicopter crew assigned to Company B, 3rd Assault Helicopter Battalion, 4th Aviation Regiment, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, provides an up-close look at a UH-60 Black Hawk to Navy Junior ROTC cadets after landing at Widefield High School in Colorado Springs Feb. 22, 2017. (Photo by Sgt. Gregory T. Summers)
By Sgt. Gregory T. Summers
4th Combat Aviation Brigade Public Affairs Office, 4th Infantry Division
COLORADO SPRINGS — Smiles and cheers were not hard to come by as a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crew landed at Widefield High School’s athletic field Feb. 22, 2017.
Soldiers assigned to Company B, 3rd Assault Helicopter Battalion, 4th Aviation Regiment, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, provided a hands-on experience with Army aviation to nearly 150 Navy Junior ROTC cadets.
Sgt. Dwayne Parker, UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crew chief, said he enjoyed meeting with the cadets and answering their questions about the Army, the aircraft and the military in general.
“It was exciting to get out here and meet with these students and get involved within our surrounding community,” Parker said.
The helicopter crew gave guided tours of the aircraft, posed for photos with the cadets and answered as many questions as time would allow during their visit.
Retired Marine Corps Maj. Mark Davis, senior naval science instructor for Widefield High School’s Navy Junior ROTC program, thanks a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crew assigned to Company B, 3rd Assault Helicopter Battalion, 4th Aviation Regiment, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, for visiting with his students Feb. 22, 2017. (Photo by Sgt. Gregory T. Summers)
“It’s great for our kids to literally reach their hands out and ‘touch’ the Army and military life,” said Retired Marine Corps Maj. Mark Davis, senior naval science instructor for Widefield High School’s Navy Junior ROTC Program. “It’s an opportunity for them to decide if this is something they would be interested in doing with their lives after graduating.”
Seaman Apprentice Summer Childress, a sophomore, said seeing the helicopter up close was a dream come true.
“Just sitting in it was a step closer to actually flying,” Childress said. “This may be the only opportunity I may have to sit in a helicopter, and I am thankful that these Soldiers came out to visit us today.”
The visit was mutually beneficial said Parker.
“They probably look up and see us flying day in and day out, but to get the aircraft this close to them, it’s a unique opportunity for both the school and us,” Parker said. “These kids wanted to know everything that we do, and it left me with a great feeling of pride. I’m thankful to have been a part of this.”
The cadets formed up for a group photo with the helicopter and its crew before marching to a safe distance to watch the Black Hawk take off for its return to Fort Carson.
“We had a great time with these Soldiers and their Black Hawk, and we are looking forward to doing this again,” Davis said. “We are extremely thankful.”
A UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter assigned to Company B, 3rd Assault Helicopter Battalion, 4th Aviation Regiment, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, provides a backdrop for a Widefield High School Navy Junior ROTC cadets corps group photo Feb. 22, 2017. (Photo by Sgt. Gregory T. Summers)