A US Army helicopter made a hard landing near Fallujah, Iraq, Tuesday, according to US Central Command. The helicopter's pilot and co-pilot were able to walk away from their OH-58D Kiowa observation aircraft after making an emergency landing south of Fallujah, CENTCOM spokesman Marine Maj. Pete Mitchell said. Mitchell initially reported that the Kiowa might have been forced to land "due to hostile fire." A subsequent CENTCOM news release confirmed that the aircraft had come under enemy fire.

“This is a very aggressive schedule…we’re on the road, taking Naval Aviation to the Heartland”. With those words, Lt. Mike Blankenship, the Public Affairs Officer for the Blue Angels, grabs my printed schedule and makes a quick correction, adding Niagara Falls, New York to the schedule (a printing oversight). 34 stops in three countries, and an early October trip to Hawaii for the team, the first at MCAS Kaneohe Bay. They’re also heading east for a weekend visit to Bermuda on 12-13 June, and their Canadian foray will be 11-12 September to Shearwater, Nova Scotia. “We’re adding three new pilots to the team this year, including a Marine flying in the #3, or left wing slot.”

The smile on Mike Chandler’s face is genuine. It goes from ear-to-ear, and his face just lights up. Like a Dad talking about his kid’s little league game, he’s beaming. Let’s face it. We’re all airplane nuts.  We love this stuff. How many of us get to live our dreams, or even beyond them… that’s where “Chanz” finds himself now. As a Lieutenant Colonel in the Air Force, 17 years after graduating from the Academy, he says this is the best job of all. He’s the new commander of the Thunderbirds. In his dark blue flight suit, with the number 1 on the left chest, this native of Cedar Falls, Iowa is getting settled into the new job, even though the official change of command ceremony takes place in January. He’

Canadian Snowbirds' 2004 Tour Starts May 1st! Note: Since all military team schedules are subject to change (especially in time of war), please recheck schedules prior to traveling to these events.

Blue Angels' 2004 Tour Starts March 13th! Note: Since all military team schedules are subject to change (especially in time of war), please recheck schedules prior to traveling to these events.

Thunderbirds' 2004 Tour Starts March 273th!

Note: Since all military team schedules are subject to change (especially in time of war), please recheck schedules prior to traveling to these events.

Bell Helicopter CEO Michael Redenbaugh has announced that the Fort Worth-based helicopter manufacturer is adding 113,300 square feet to its existing Assembly Building located at the Amarillo International Airport. "We need this new manufacturing space because we are bringing the H-1 assembly line up to Amarillo," Mr. Redenbaugh said. Since 1999, Bell's Amarillo facility has been the Assembly and Delivery Center for the V-22 Osprey tiltrotor program. The Bell center is located on 184 acres along the southeast corner of Amarillo International Airport.