The OFFICES
The "Osage"; The "Iraquois"; The "Chinook"; The "Kiowa"
The Hughes 300: Army desiganation- TH-55 "Osage". This was the primary basic trainer for Army helicopter flight school when I started in 1982. After about 12-15 hours of dual instruction, you flew your first solo flight - 3 take-offs & 3 landings in the traffic pattern. After that you recieved about another 20 hours of solo flight before moving up to the next level of flight training - The "Huey".
The Venerable "HUEY" : Made its name in in Viet Nam. It was the work horse for Army Aviation during the war and continued that role up to just a few years ago. It was replaced by the UH-60 "Blackhawk. There are still a few of the "Old Warhorses" around, mostly at Ft. Rucker, the Army's home for Army Aviation, where they are still being used to train flight students. I flew the Huey for 13 years and will fly it one last time before I retire from the army or they finally retire all the Huey's... which ever comes first!
"The Beast" -  The Army's CH-47D "Chinook". An awesome helicopter that is the heavy mover for the force by air. A truly phenomenal asset to the Army & an exciting pleasure to fly ! The men that crew these aircraft are in a league of their own & of whom I came to respect highly while serving in the "Chinook Community".
The OH-58 "Kiowa" - O H stands for Observation Helicopter. The primary role of this aircraft was that of a "Scout" typically found in Air Cavalry units. Now it serves as the Army's primary trainer for flight school in the Combat Skills phase of training. This is the aircraft I am currently flying as an Instructor Pilot.
TAKE-OFF IS OPTIONAL ... LANDING IS MANDATORY
This is what sometimes happens when the ground "rises up" to smite thee while airborne. Believe it or not, the crew of this OH-58C walked away from the aftermath ... It just wasn't a good day to die.