Risk Management Magazine

We didn’t brief a change in plans and because of it, I watched as my friend walked toward certain death from the main rotor blades.

Until I experienced my first instrument flight in real weather conditions as an aviator, I never fully understood the workload and focus required by the pilots; nor did I realize how quickly and easily things can get out of control. If I had known this as a crew chief, I would have probably stopped flying. 

In January 2014, 6-17 Cavalry deployed to the National Training Center at Fort Irwin to conduct a force-on-force training exercise. When we arrived, and before the rotation started, my troop received all required training such as environmental and dust qualification.