Event update:
The snow pushed back ALL Training at Camp Navajo. Not just our event but the National Guard training calendar as well. We are working with the National Guard to get the dates nailed down firm and tomorrow should have the dates locked down ( Monday, March 24th ). What this means is that regualr Army and National Guard units that train at Camp Navajo are being squeezed into a tighter training period and we will most likely be conducting operations, eating in the DFAC with other units so let's everyone keep it professional.
Next Update. The Hind has been taking forever but should at least be on the water soon. It will not be operational in time for the event but even if it was, it would take a major amount of money just to operate it. Fuel burn rate is 240 gallons per hour. Camp Navajo is approximately 126 miles from the Chandler airport. I do not have external fuel tanks for it so for those of you that can look up the stats on the internet for the MI-24 you can get a ballpark figure of how much it would cost to operate. I think Jet A ( the fuel type ) is almost $5 per gallon now so you will see me standing by the on ramp to the freeway holding up cardboard signs: need $$$ for helicopter fuel. Go ahead and throw in for maintenance as well and the $20K bill for transportation to our front door here.
It is being shipped in two containers. The tail has been removed for transport so it can fit in an open top container and all the rest of the parts are going in the closed container. If anyone is feeling generous and would like to donate a bazillion dollars to this project it would be much appreciated. Also, we will be having a MI-24 BBQ and every single one of you is invited. I'll post the dates when it gets here.
Chad