The Fleet Fly-In and NHA Events - a Trustee's POV

By CAPT Sandy Clark, USN (Ret.)

The 2022 Gulf Coast Fleet Fly-In, November 1-3, was a great success. Designed to enhance the Student Naval Aviators' (SNA) understanding of what their professional futures might look like, these events provide valuable 'touch' experience on current Fleet equipment while bringing young Fleet pilots to the Training Command to speak 1:1 with SNAs. Fleet participation was strong, with multiple Navy and Marine Corps aircraft arriving from Jacksonville, New River, and San Diego. SNAs were appropriately and palpably excited to observe large Fleet aircraft with their tactical paint schemes intermingled with their own, comparatively diminutive orange and white training birds on the HT-8 and HT-18 Flight Lines. Reports were that 500 SNAs who participated got to fly in Fleet Aircraft and several hundred more, including Aircrew, participated in the static displays at Sherman Field.

Gathered together at Fly-In - from left to right: CAPT Jim Gillcrist, USN (Ret.), Capt. Josh Kerzie, USMC CAPT Shawn Malone, USN (Ret.), RADM Dan Fillion, USN (Ret.), Maj Jacob Ashbolt, USMC, CAPT Greg Hoffman, USN (Ret.), CDR Guy Henry, USN, and CAPT Sandy Clark, USN (Ret.).

The three HT-Squadrons recognize the high value of these exchanges as normal flight schedules gave way to two full days of organized familiarization flights in Fleet aircraft, in-depth briefings, and plenty of productive social interaction. It seems there's nothing more powerful than the sweet aromas of JP-5, hydraulic fluid, and Mil-L-23699 to get the juices flowing. Some of the NHA Staff and a few visitors likewise enjoyed a comprehensive tour of the recently introduced training helicopter, TH-73 'Thrasher.' These contractor-maintained, well-equipped, rigid rotor machines are impressive training birds and a far cry from what some of us flew decades ago.

Social events achieved their intended purpose: enabling all manner of "Fleet speak," discussion of aircraft operational capabilities, and more than a few sea stories. NHA-sponsored BBQ lunches primed the pump both days, and there was a very successful evening social event in downtown Pensacola in which students, instructors, contractors and even a few Trustees had the chance to share a meal and beverages in a relaxed environment.

The Fleet Fly-In culminated with a well-attended community briefing for the students at the always-impressive Naval Aviation Museum at Mainside. It was a time of good news, the "big picture," and positive reinforcement for students who typically spend most of their time head down in the books, moving from hop to hop.

Not to be minimized in this well-organized and informative three day event was Jim Gillcrist's "Why NHA?" pitch to students in which he described the life-long benefit of joining and remaining engaged in the helicopter community's premier professional association. Jim's message boiled down to this: "Given that NHA is the single repository of all Naval Helicopter information, a forum for all issues affecting the whole Naval Helicopter Community -- tactical, technical and, professional -- where you're "in the know," where your opinion matters, where your voice is heard, a place where you can see old friends, make new connections, be a part of something larger than yourself, and much, much more....Why WOULDN"T you join and remain a member of the Naval Helicopter Association?"

This was my first Fleet Fly-In and I learned that Trustees have a valuable role to play at these NHA-sponsored events. Trustee interaction with current instructors, students and their families was particularly robust, candid and interactive with 'experienced' (mostly) former community leaders. I found those conversations to be encouraging and refreshing. NHA benefits from students' early close connection to our community by encouraging membership. For those reasons I'd urge Trustees to attend such scheduled events -- Annual Symposium, Gulf Coast Fleet Fly-Ins, as well as Regional lunches and get togethers, whenever they can. You'll be glad you did!

Gathered together at Fly-In - from left to right: CAPT Jim Gillcrist, USN (Ret.), Capt. Josh Kerzie, USMC CAPT Shawn Malone, USN (Ret.), RADM Dan Fillion, USN (Ret.), Maj Jacob Ashbolt, USMC, CAPT Greg Hoffman, USN (Ret.), CDR Guy Henry, USN, and CAPT Sandy Clark, USN (Ret.).

The three HT-Squadrons recognize the high value of these exchanges as normal flight schedules gave way to two full days of organized familiarization flights in Fleet aircraft, in-depth briefings, and plenty of productive social interaction. It seems there's nothing more powerful than the sweet aromas of JP-5, hydraulic fluid, and Mil-L-23699 to get the juices flowing. Some of the NHA Staff and a few visitors likewise enjoyed a comprehensive tour of the recently introduced training helicopter, TH-73 'Thrasher.' These contractor-maintained, well-equipped, rigid rotor machines are impressive training birds and a far cry from what some of us flew decades ago.