Oddest Formation You'll Ever Love

[stearmann4]

It's short notice, but if any of you can skip work tomorrow Monday August 26th, you'll get to see a formation at Paine Field that's never been flown before, and will probably never happen again.

The Historic Flight's B-25D "Grumpy" will be leading several formation passes with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment's MH-47G Chinook on one wing, and an MH-60M Blackhawk on the other. The Heritage Flight Museum will also be flying their AT-6 as the camera ship in the formation. Lastly, at the end of the day, the Chinook will be forming up on a Navy Stearman for a "Boeing Flight", sort of a brother-from-another-mother opportunity. Expect both flights to complete several camera passes down the runway. The short notice was due to late breaking DoD approval for the flight.

The museum's doors open at 8, the helicopters arrive at 9, briefing at 10, with the flight departing at approximately 11, or when the WX gets as good as it's going to get.

The reason for organizing the flight is complicated, and it's not a static display, we're accomplishing some training, but you and your camera don't want to miss this!

Mike-

[DH82EH]

That sounds really cool.
Take some shots for those of us that can't be there.

Andy Scott

[spookythecat]

Our man on the Everett scene, Jason, will have this covered. I'm sure video will be available as soon as he can have it ready to share.

[DH82EH]

Looking forward.
Jason posts some great stuff!
Thanks Al

Andy

[p51]

Sounds interesting. I assume that the moritorium for display flights is limited to the public ones? Just seems odd that they wouldn't be able to burn the fuel for an airshow yet can do a photo formation like this if it's on the "down low"...

[Sasquatch]

I watched several fly-bys earlier this day from Boeing. Saw three of the passes down the runway, and like the OP said, it was definitely a mash-up to love! Very unique. Sorry no photos though, as we're not allowed to have cameras at work. Hopefully Jason scored the shots, as Spooky mentioned.

--Tom

[krislhull]

I was watching them from work as well... My coworkers and I had front row seats for the flybys from our 787 delivery stall. shortly after noon, the formation came in low (~15000ft) over the Boeing Everett Delivery Center building from east to west. I must say, it appeared as if the entire Boeing Flightline stopped to watch!

Kris

[spookythecat]

These photoss by John Dibbs have been floating around facebook. So bizarre yet so cool.

Attachments

[Sasquatch]

Cool, Al; thanks!

[spookythecat]

And now available in moving pictures! Nice work, Jason!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jEHqhSCnEg#t=325

[DH82EH]

Thanks Al, thanks Jason.
Well done as always

Andy Scott

[Sasquatch]

And now available in moving pictures! Nice work, Jason!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jEHqhSCnEg#t=325

Premium badass, Jason! Well done...Major Wood approves!

-Tom

[p51]

While I do think it's cool (I'm flown in every type of aircraft in all those pictures at one time of another), I still wonder how this is possible when the DoD has made it really clear that no airshow flights are to take place this season and grounded everything of that nature.
I can imagine what one of the more venemous news stations in the area would make of this, "Well, the public watching Seafair was out of luck, but if you have your own military aircraft, the Army will show up and give you your own private airshow..."

[PropsRule]

It's interesting to see the different attitudes the three aircraft were flown at while in formation. The Blackhawk, for example, is flying quite a bit nose down. In the video, it looked like the B-25 was being flown a bit slower to the helicopters could keep up.

Very interesting photos and video. Thanks for posting them up!

[stearmann4]

While I do think it's cool (I'm flown in every type of aircraft in all those pictures at one time of another), I still wonder how this is possible when the DoD has made it really clear that no airshow flights are to take place this season and grounded everything of that nature.
I can imagine what one of the more venemous news stations in the area would make of this, "Well, the public watching Seafair was out of luck, but if you have your own military aircraft, the Army will show up and give you your own private airshow..."

Lee,

Trust me when I tell you that what you voice was analyzed from every angle, there was no advertisement, no static display, there was no airshow, and there was actually training conducted both enroute to PAE, as well as on departure. keep in mind the 160th is a special operations unit, and we have different training requirements, and are allowed a certain amount of latitude to accomplish them. That said, the entire concept was briefed and approved at the one-star level over a 2 year period, so not much chance of it going higher than that. It was not a flight that was done on a whim.

The training we conducted at PAE required a specific type of aircraft, the HFF had it and was willing to participate, we solicited them for participation.We did anticipate some public perception of impropriety as in your case, although I didn't think it would come from a former military offficer who has experience in such a broad range of aircraft.

I'm an active duty officer and aviator going on 25 years, I, nor the rest of the officers and men who flew the mission would put themselves or the unit at risk by conducting an "airshow". Check your facts before you create problems where there previously were none. I don't believe there was a single call or comment put in to any local news media outlets.

If you would like a more formal explanation rather than spreading incorrect facts, feel free to PM or email me and I'll be happy to connect you with the 160th Public Affairs Officer. Otherwise, I'm local to you, and I believe I may have given your Willys a good looking over a couple weeks ago at the Tenino Quarrymen Show, if not then we've certainly met at the Olympia Show where I fly the museum's helicopters. I'll even be happy to arrange a meeting in person to provide you an explanation.

Mike-