September 9, 2007:
Weapons
officers of U.S. AH-64 helicopter gunships are practicing riding on the outside of the helicopter (where
the wing merges with hull). It's loud, and not particularly risky, if you use a
harness and ear protection ( from the engine noise). The purpose of this
drill is to enable AH-64s to perform rescue missions, especially of wounded
troops (including the crews of downed helicopters) who cannot safely ride on
the outside. Practicing this maneuver makes it safer, and quicker, to do in an
emergency. Actually, up to four external passengers can be carried. Two on either
side of the cockpit, and one on each wing. AH-64s have earlier made daring
rescues of troops by having them lashed to the wing and flown out of
danger.
Helicopter crews tend to
be people who get off on risky behavior, so it was probably not difficult to
get the troops to undertake this kind of training. Special Operations troops
have long practiced riding helicopters from the outside, so they can get into
action more quickly.