Black Hawk Up

One of Judd's partners at Novartis is quite an interesting fellow. Not only does he "sell drugs" during the day, but he is also in the Army reserve and serves as a helicopter pilot. In his spare time, he runs his farm in Oxford, complete with horses, cattle, and llamas. Ron comes over to Tupelo for missions with his Black Hawk helicopter. A couple of months ago, he did a flyover of our house and circled around it a few times. The kids (and Judd) were absolutely fascinated by this sleek, four-bladed, twin-engine machine. This is also the same type of helicopter used for the President, known as Marine One.

Today, Ron invited us to meet him at the Tupelo Regional Airport to take a closer look at his copter. We had to get security clearance, but I don't think we appeared too suspicious. Before walking to the air strip where the helicopters were stationed, we visited the hanger where several military helicopters are kept. The Apache helicopters are housed in Tupelo and Cole had a chance to get inside one of those. The Black Hawks, however, are kept in Jackson. So this was a real treat for us! As it turned out, one of the Apache pilots is a distant cousin of Judd's. What a small world.

 
Named for us??

 
One of the many military helicopters

 
Hanging out in the hanger

 
Walking to the Black Hawk

 
Cole tries on Mr. Ron's vest

 
Too heavy for Mary Conlee

 
The cargo seats in the Black Hawk

 
A view of the cockpit

 
"What happens if I pull this?" Judd asks.

 
MC's turn as pilot

 
The Wilson co-pilots. Wouldn't it be nice to have one in the family?

 
The Apache

 
Getting a big lift onto the Apache

 
Daddy's cousin, Joseph Weeks, shows Cole how to steer the Apache

 
I could get used to this!

 
I know what I want for Christmas!