Risk Management Magazine

The night’s task was an AH-64D Readiness Level 3 progression local area operation including as many night and night vision system (NVS) base tasks we could complete within our three-hour period of instruction. This was our fourth flight together as a crew. Our three previous missions, flown during the day with an hour of hood training, went smoothly.

As Soldiers, our jobs are inherently dangerous. One moment of inattention can have deadly consequences. Thanks to my unit’s commitment to safety, I had the training and situational awareness to recognize my buddy was in danger.

If you took your eyes off the aircraft in front of you, it was very difficult to reacquire it. The ground was covered with snow with little contrast, and the sky was overcast. It was snowing heavily, which produced a dangerous whiteout condition.