Risk Management Magazine

During Operation Iraqi Freedom V and VI, we faced one question repeatedly: Should we launch or stay on the ground during marginal weather? As all Army aviators know, sometimes mission importance outweighs weather minimums. The question then becomes where to draw the line. In garrison, the answer is simple; you either have weather or you don’t. In combat, however, the line gets blurred.

The Soldiers at Fort Carson, Colorado, have a motto they like to live by: Mountain Post Living. It’s a phrase that gets thrown around in jest frequently, but the idea is there is a standing order from the post commanding general that on the last day of the work week, everyone that can should be leaving work at 1500. While it is a great boost to morale, everyone comes to work on the last day ready to leave early.

We started our movement shortly after dark and all was uneventful for the first hour. My squad leader was training me on the “finer points” of driving while towing the tool van.