Risk Management Magazine

It was a very long and exhausting week in which I had been working about 16 hours a day. As we planned for flight after to make sure everything went smoothly for the mission and UAS operators, “it” happened.

This mission was for six UH-60s to insert troops into the open, isolated desert of Kuwait under zero percent illumination, zero contrast (or ground references), also known as “Red Illum.” It was one of the most challenging landings any one of us has ever accomplished to date.

In an AH-64D with tandem seating, combined with a combat environment, there are many critical phases that seem to mesh to form a constant need for diligent cross-monitoring. If one pilot could complete all mission tasks, there would only be one seat.