Helicopter Training Squadron Eighteen Flies 1,000,000 Hours Without Class "A" Mishap

Maj. Keith Kincannon and 1st. Lt. Justin Howe made Naval Aviation history last Thursday as they shut down their helicopter after a training flight.  They had flown the squadron's 1,000,000th Class "A" Mishap free flight hour. 

"I feel incredibly fortunate to be part of this awesome milestone. It's a testament to the professionalism of all the instructors at HT-18 both past and present," said Kincannon.

Helicopter Training Squadron Eighteen (HT-18) flies over 36,000 flight hours per year, while training approximately 300 new pilots in the Bell Jet Ranger TH-57. They train Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard pilots. It's taken 27 years for the squadron to achieve this goal.

"Since the squadron was commissioned in 1972, and through the efforts of hundreds of simulator and instructor pilots and thousands of students, we were able to achieve this aviation milestone," stated Lt.Col. Ron Colyer, Commanding Officer. "I feel very fortunate to be here when it happened."

A cake cutting ceremony was held in the HT-18 Instructor ready room to recognize and thank those responsible. A Marine Corps news release stated that this achievement would have been impossible without the help of the support personnel from L3 Communications, Transtecs, Bell Helicopter, NAS Whiting Field ATC, and Pensacola Regional Airport ATC.

"I enjoy being part of the TH-57 program. We strive to give both squadrons, HT-18 and HT-8, the safest aircraft we can everyday," said David Carrington, TH-57 Maintenance Manager. "Lt. Cmdr. Chris Amador, HT-18's Safety Officer added, "A good safety program is vital to preserve resources and support mission accomplishment."

FMI: www.navy.mil