Imagine this: You're piloting an Apache helicopter in Iraq or Afghanistan,
and suddenly you're shot down over enemy territory.
You survive the landing, but what do you do next?
Sergeant First Class Jerry Malec shows us how aviators train for something they hope will never happen to them.
Like the movie "Blackhawk Down," the scene is played out a lot
inside the Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels, Germany.
[artillery fire]
An Apache and its crew is shot down by the enemy.
But thankfully for these pilots, this wasn't Iraq, Afghanistan, or Somalia.
It was the perfect chance to get it right before going to combat,
said Falcon team trainer Captain Ryan Scott,
also known as Falcon 1-3.
Once the aircraft goes down, if you've never practiced
or you've never trained what am I going to do when this aircraft goes down,
it's too late at that time.
The drill forced the pilots to run through their escape and evasion tactics
and also gave the Quick Reaction Force practice in rescuing troops under enemy fire.
[gunfire]
We are moving pilots now. I repeat, we are moving pilots now to the secure location.
On this day, the QRF, made up of both U.S. and foreign troops,
successfully extract the two pilots and get them to safety.
That's what the purpose here at JMRC is.
We want to train to win and get these guys an opportunity to take something home
to their unit to reassess and stretch those muscles and get them back in their comfort zone.
While the pilot may seem safer traveling above ground in combat,
trainers like Falcon 1-3 at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center are highlighting the hazards of flying in Iraq and Afghanistan
and making pilots aware that they should take nothing for granted.
Army Sergeant Jerry Malec, Hohenfels, Germany.
