12-2-06

The Chile Air Force sent a Lockheed C-130H to Olympia Airport to pick up the first of several UH-1H helicopters. Arriving from Santiago at 1900 hours local time, the loading began immediately. Upon landing the FACH C-130 was immediately surrounded by NWH trucks, trailers, and other ground support vehicles containing the UH-1H helicopter and crates of parts. In a great cooperative effort between the Northwest Helicopters Technicians and the Chile Air Force load masters, a total of 15 men loaded the UH-1H and its components into the C-130H in just a couple of hours. The loading was all done in the dark of night without lights and during a freezing rain storm. After a 24 hour crew rest period, the C-130 departed Olympia for Santiago Chile. Many thanks to both crews for a very fast and successful loading operation.