Photography and story by Chris Buff

 

Saturday July 25, 2009

 

On July 25, 2009 I had the honor of shooting the Army Aviation Heritage Foundation Sky Soldiers practice session. I along with several other local area aviation photographers was invited to photograph the day's activities which included the "Rescue At Dawn" re-enactment along with the Cobra demonstration team.

 

According to the teams' website, The AAHF is dedicated to presenting the Army Aviation story to the American people through narrated, patriotic flying presentations and static displays of the actual aircraft and equipment used by the men and women who served in Army Aviation.

 

During the two "Rescue at Dawn" practice sessions I had the opportunity to see the team fly a wide range of US Army aircraft including:

• OH-6A Loach

• AH-1 Cobra

• UH-1H "Huey"

• OV-1B Mohawk

• O-1 Bird Dog

The second half of the afternoon was dedicated to three practices featuring the Cobra Team's formation flying. This ranged from opposing solo crosses to classic diamond breaks and was a real thrill in such close quarters. I should mention that the team promised that we would be "up close and personal" to many hazardous machines and they were right. In fact, this is the first time shooting an aviation event that I sometimes had too much lens for aircraft in flight...even at 18mm. In addition, the conditions were so bright that my 80-200 f2.8 lens was too fast. In the future I think that I will have a neutral density filter in the bag for just such an occasion.

 

Even after 7 hours of eating dust, listening to the thumping of the chopper blades and baking in the 95 degree Georgia sun, I was not ready for the flying to end.

 

The men and women I met couldn't have been nicer and they are real professionals, in the air and on the ground. They are a great bunch and are truly committed to preserving US Army aviation history. I would like to offer my sincere thanks to the  Army Aviation Heritage Foundation, the Sky Soldiers and Cobra demonstration teams and especially Lee Maynard, the Executive VP of the Cobra Team.