Military Helicopters

rdinatal

rdinatal

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I’ve counted 5 so far headed east over Huntersville. I was thinking national guard helping with swift rescues but these look like Apaches. I did see one that looked like it could be for rescues that went over around 10:00 am. Accompanied by two Apaches. The next group flew over around 10:15.
 
Maybe they've decided to get serious about looters. We've been seeing a bunch of military choppers coming in and out of Greensboro as well. Probably getting fuel and supplies.
 
Qball said:
Maybe they've decided to get serious about looters
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Curmudgeon said:
Maybe the Apaches are to take out looters? :D
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The US Military version of the Mafia punishment. Instead of killing the person to your right and left they blow up everything in a square block around you.
 
I heard them a good 45 seconds before I was able to see them. Even then they were a good mile away.

How do they 'sneak' up on something, they were loud. Well, maybe if you're in a tank they could surprise you.:eek:
 
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Good trainin'. If they are all NG helo's they get the money out of a different pot for the hurricane so they will spend every dime "in support."
 
rdinatal said:
I heard them a good 45 seconds before I was able to see them. Even then they were a good mile away.

How do they 'sneak' up on something, they were loud. Well, maybe if you're in a tank they could surprise you.:eek:
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If they can engage individual tangos in the open without being seen or heard as we've all seen in the videos I think they can be far enough away that stealth is not a factor.
 
All aircraft was moved. They'll be busy for the next week or so bringing them back. Ever see a line of C17s do a low fly over? It's pretty cool. I've seen it dozens of times and still get a kick out of it. I'm tempted to go hang out on base near the airfields just to watch.

Might go get a new boonie while I'm at it.
 
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Scrubber3 said:
All aircraft was moved. They'll be busy for the next week or so bringing them back. Ever see a line of C17s do a low fly over? It's pretty cool. I've seen it dozens of times and still get a kick out of it. I'm tempted to go hang out on base near the airfields just to watch.

Might go get a new boonie while I'm at it.
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Do they only do those low flyings on the base? How could a civilian old lady get to see that? It sounds awesome!!!
 
rdinatal said:
I heard them a good 45 seconds before I was able to see them. Even then they were a good mile away.

How do they 'sneak' up on something, they were loud. Well, maybe if you're in a tank they could surprise you.:eek:
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They can engage from 2-3 miles away is one way, also if I recall correctly when they are in travel mode the rotor blades will break the sound barrier and you hear the “whop whop whop” sound as they are traveling, when in attack mode the blades spin slower so they don’t break the sound barrier, they also change the “pitch” or “angle of attack” (I don’t know the proper terminology) so the blades provide enough lift to stay aloft and they are much quieter so they can prowl around and not alert the enemy of their presence as easily.

I remember seeing a show on the Discovery channel about attack helicopters and they discussed how the newer attack choppers differ from the older ones like the Cobras in Vietnam, I may not be 100% accurate on the Apache info above though because the show covered a few different birds and I could be attributing the tech from another bird to the Apache, but it does use technology similar to make it quieter when it is looking for things to kill.
 
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Scrubber3 said:
I use my ID card to get on base. I still have friends that can get me places, but here in fayetteville or even better spring lake you can just be outside and randomly get to see it.
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Thanks.
 
I saw a freaking V-22 Osprey flying towards Ft. Bragg today. In all my years in the area, I've seen many aircraft training and flying about. But never an Osprey. It was pretty dang cool.
 
They sent a bunch of boats to sea from Norfolk too. Getting them out of the way early is cheaper than replacing them.
 
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Millie said:
Do they only do those low flyings on the base? How could a civilian old lady get to see that? It sounds awesome!!!
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There are Saturday 'fun jumps' conducted on post as part of the SPJP (Saturday proficiency jump program). This program affords troopers that are 'pay hurts' or troopers that just want to get a non-tactical jump the opportunity to jump. It is typically held at Sicily Drop Zone. It is open to the public.
The jump schedule can be found in the 'Paraglide' newspaper. This would be one opportunity to see low flying aircraft (800-1000 feet), and also watch a parachute drop.
Another event is 'Operation Toy Drop' (you can find information on Facebook) which is held in December.
I used to take my daughters out there, but havent in the past few years.
 
indie_rocker said:
I saw a freaking V-22 Osprey flying towards Ft. Bragg today. In all my years in the area, I've seen many aircraft training and flying about. But never an Osprey. It was pretty dang cool.
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They are usmc aircraft. I have seen them a few times, but as you said, not so much.
 
325rto said:
There are Saturday 'fun jumps' conducted on post as part of the SPJP (Saturday proficiency jump program). This program affords troopers that are 'pay hurts' or troopers that just want to get a non-tactical jump the opportunity to jump. It is typically held at Sicily Drop Zone. It is open to the public.
The jump schedule can be found in the 'Paraglide' newspaper. This would be one opportunity to see low flying aircraft (800-1000 feet), and also watch a parachute drop.
Another event is 'Operation Toy Drop' (you can find information on Facebook) which is held in December.
I used to take my daughters out there, but havent in the past few years.
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Totally forgot about this.
 
325rto said:
There are Saturday 'fun jumps' conducted on post as part of the SPJP (Saturday proficiency jump program). This program affords troopers that are 'pay hurts' or troopers that just want to get a non-tactical jump the opportunity to jump. It is typically held at Sicily Drop Zone. It is open to the public.
The jump schedule can be found in the 'Paraglide' newspaper. This would be one opportunity to see low flying aircraft (800-1000 feet), and also watch a parachute drop.
Another event is 'Operation Toy Drop' (you can find information on Facebook) which is held in December.
I used to take my daughters out there, but havent in the past few years.
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Great info, thanks! I'd love to see some jumps. I only got to do one in my life, and never got to do a solo jump, much to my regret. And I think I'm too out of shape to do it now, but you never know....maybe I'll get inspired.
Edit, they no longer give the schedule out due to security concerns....I get it, but now how do I get to see them???
 
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Trump landed here yesterday..UNBELIEVABLE….2 Huge cargo planes with a fleet of blacked out SUVs and 8 Harley Davidsons. If there was one suited gentleman talking into his sleeve there was 50. Cargo included an EXTRA helicopter. An amazing show of force and mobility. One of our folks was in the small room in Conway with The Prez for about 20 minutes.
 
USCG has a FAB set up about a mile from here. With the flooding and countless rescues still (yes, still) ongoing we have had more helicopter action over my house than I have seen everywhere I have ever been combined.
Coast Guard Jayhawks and Army Black Hawks a few feet above the treetops passing right over us over and over. Even had a Dolphin buzz us.

Had a black colored Black Hawk with a gold stripe down the side pass really close and really low about an hour ago. Maybe Homeland Security? Several flat black MD-500 types have been seen out and about as well.

Pender EOC in Burgaw has 2 Black Hawks in the field between it and the back of McDonalds at 53 and 117.
 
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Millie said:
Great info, thanks! I'd love to see some jumps. I only got to do one in my life, and never got to do a solo jump, much to my regret. And I think I'm too out of shape to do it now, but you never know....maybe I'll get inspired.
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Millie. There is a skydiving place in Raeford. IIRC it is on Doc Brown Road. Its actually an airfield dedicated to skydiving.
There is also an indoor skydiving facility here in Fayetteville. Its a huge wind tunnel.
Spectators welcome at both places.
 
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rdinatal said:
I’ve counted 5 so far headed east over Huntersville. I was thinking national guard helping with swift rescues but these look like Apaches. I did see one that looked like it could be for rescues that went over around 10:00 am. Accompanied by two Apaches. The next group flew over around 10:15.
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I saw them too, but didnt think they were Apaches. They were grey, looked like blackhawks
 
325rto said:
Millie. There is a skydiving place in Raeford. IIRC it is on Doc Brown Road. Its actually an airfield dedicated to skydiving.
There is also an indoor skydiving facility here in Fayetteville. Its a huge wind tunnel.
Spectators welcome at both places.
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The one in Raeford was the one I planned to go to!
And I've just been talking by Messenger with Bragg and they say they don't give out the jump schedule anymore for security reasons....So I have no idea how I'd figure out when to go there! Lol. I was hoping to check it out in cooler weather.
 
Millie said:
The one in Raeford was the one I planned to go to!
And I've just been talking by Messenger with Bragg and they say they don't give out the jump schedule anymore for security reasons....So I have no idea how I'd figure out when to go there! Lol. I was hoping to check it out in cooler weather.
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I went a few years back and had a good time. On Tues they had double the time for the same price. I recommend going then. $106 for 6 minutes of flying (3, 2 min periods) on Tuesdays. I was able to by the 3rd period fly myself around unassisted in a 90% controlled manor.
 
Millie said:
The one in Raeford was the one I planned to go to!
And I've just been talking by Messenger with Bragg and they say they don't give out the jump schedule anymore for security reasons....So I have no idea how I'd figure out when to go there! Lol. I was hoping to check it out in cooler weather.
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I apologize for the misinformation I gave you in reference to the paraglide.
 
325rto said:
I apologize for the misinformation I gave you in reference to the paraglide.
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No biggie, I'm just sorry they quit having the schedule posted. Maybe if I knew someone at the base I could find these things out....probably not, though.
I guess I could drive over there one Saturday and go to a gate and ask them when the guys/gals are jumping? (I'd probably get to see a cool rifle again like the time I went thru with a friend who had a relative in the military. That was interesting!!)
 
tod0987 said:
I went a few years back and had a good time. On Tues they had double the time for the same price. I recommend going then. $106 for 6 minutes of flying (3, 2 min periods) on Tuesdays. I was able to by the 3rd period fly myself around unassisted in a 90% controlled manor.
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Is this in the wind tunnel thing? That sounds ok, but if I'm going to spend a bunch of money, I want the whole deal...the scary flight up to however high they do it in NC, the whole fear of heights thing that my first jump was supposed to cure, the fear of getting out on that little "step" thing, and the major pee-worthy fear of having to do the pull myself this time and not the cute guy behind me! I want it all, baby!! (But not till I lose a lot more weight....)
 
Millie said:
Is this in the wind tunnel thing? That sounds ok, but if I'm going to spend a bunch of money, I want the whole deal...the scary flight up to however high they do it in NC, the whole fear of heights thing that my first jump was supposed to cure, the fear of getting out on that little "step" thing, and the major pee-worthy fear of having to do the pull myself this time and not the cute guy behind me! I want it all, baby!! (But not till I lose a lot more weight....)
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I understand. Yea it is ok with double the flight time on Tues. Not sure I would do it for just 3 mins at full price. I think there is skydive company attached to the same place. I've never been one for heights.


To add to the OP. SJAFB most not have their F-15s back as I live under the flight path too and from the bombing practice ranges at the coast. Every afternoon between 4:30-5pm they will fly over on the way back in 2s and 4s. Occasionally one will pop it into afterburner and do a nice circle at night if doing night training. Also with MCAS New River a training base for the MV-22's they use all the air fields around the ENC for practice and fly over all the time and I haven't heard one in 2 weeks.
 
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tod0987 said:
I understand. Yea it is ok with double the flight time on Tues. Not sure I would do it for just 3 mins at full price. I think there is skydive company attached to the same place. I've never been one for heights.
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I agree about heights. I just figured if I got up really high and jumped out of a plane, I might get over the fear... didn't happen. (I don't like needles either, but that hasn't stopped me from getting a few tattoos.)
And I did enjoy the free fall after the initial shock of it. And I was young....and probably nuts.
 
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