Easy Riders


IMG 1241

I was invited to speak to HSL-37, the Easy Riders today. They’re a squadron of Sea Hawk helicopters based at Marine Corp Base Hawaii. It was weird, being back on base. I used to go there all the time as a kid with my dad. So much has changed. It was cool. Lieutenant Commander Harris took me to the hangers and talked to me about the birds they fly. I was amazed at how crammed with instruments and gear the chopper was filled with. Truly amazing. It takes over two years to graduate to the level where you can actually fly a Seahawk and another year before you can land one on a cruiser or a frigate. And they do almost all of their operations at night. Still, the chopper is 26 years old. Lt. Commander Harris is one of the few pilots that’s actually OLDER than the aircraft. The seat was falling apart. Apparently it’s hot. But I have to see it’s one cool bird. They wouldn’t let me fly in it but I did get a spiffy hat.

© Darcy Oishi 2020