Navy pilots reprimanded for rescuing flood victims

[widebody911]

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/tm_objectid=15943170%26method=full%26siteid=94762% 26headline=pilots%2d%2drap%2dfor%2dhurricane%2dres cue-name_page.html

TWO US Navy helicopter pilots who ferried supplies have been reprimanded as they also rescued 110 people in New Orleans.

Lt David Shand and Lt Matt Udkow - both based at Pensacola, Florida - were told their unscheduled rescues were an "unacceptable diversion".

[Eric 951]

Actually they were not reprimanded. After their first supply drop, thye picked up a transmission asking for helicopters to help rescue folks on rooftops(can't recall from whom--NOPD maybe) After rescuing folks and touching down, they radioed their commander-who told them it was alright to proceed untill the nightime curfew--which they did--then they returned to their home base. Their commander gave them a verbal dressdown for disobeying orders--stating that the supply mission was just as important, or something along those lines--but no "formal reprimand" was issued. One is curently on downtime between missions, the other is already doing other missions--part of which was being in charge of a kennel for animals left from the flood--which is normal "collateral duty" and not punishment.

[Joeaksa]

Originally posted by Eric 951
One is curently on downtime between missions, the other is already doing other missions--part of which was being in charge of a kennel for animals left from the flood--which is normal "collateral duty" and not punishment.

Eric,

Are you an airman? If so would be surprised but if not let me clue you into something. Being switched from flying a helo in support of the rescue mission to being in charge of a kennel IS PUNISHMENT AND IS A REPRIMAND.

Joe A

[Eric 951]

"counseling", not "reprimand"--per the Navy.

[Rikao4]

Civilians will never understand the military.
Rika

[widebody911]

Originally posted by Joeaksa
Being switched from flying a helo in support of the rescue mission to being in charge of a kennel IS PUNISHMENT AND IS A REPRIMAND.

And that's only because Halliburton got the latrine duty contract.

[djmcmath]

Originally posted by Rikao4
Civilians will never understand the military.

Ain't that the truth. What I'm struggling with is why they got in trouble for doing what was fundamentally The Right Thing. Was it considered too much risk? Was it directly counter to orders?

[Seahawk]

The link below helps spell it out a little more: The guy on kennel duty called back to base, so he still gets to fly. The one that didn't is still "resting" and not flying. It is all about communication.
I support them both, and completely understand their zeal. There is nothing more rewarding in a helicopter pilots life than rescue missions. Can't blame either one the least little bit.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/07/AR2005090701352.html

[djmcmath]

Got it. Thanks for the link, Seahawk.