US Army Nightstalkers Honour One Of Their Own
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US Army Nightstalkers Honour One Of Their Own
Article found in the Helicopter Monthly
Family of Slain Night Stalker Still In Unit's Thoughts
In Missouri, the family of Phil Svitak, a long-time member of the famed 160th Special Operations Regiment who was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2002 received a gift that keeps on giving...a second family.
In a tight-knit unit like the 160th, unit members staying in contact with a fallen member's family in not uncommon. But the Svitak's could not possibly have expected a visit from the unit this past weekend...along with three CH-47s in a flyby of the family farm near Diamond, MO before a hastily scheduled barbecue.
Members of Svitak's son's unit asked if they could stop by and visit and planned on landing their Chinooks in the Svitak's pasture, but after permission to land was turned down by local authorities, the Night Stalkers did a formation flyby instead. After landing at a local airport, they all drove over to the Svitak farm for a barbeque.
As Richard Svitak said to a reporter, "When Phil died, we acquired a whole unit."
It is a shame the "local" authority would not allow the landing at the family place.
Family of Slain Night Stalker Still In Unit's Thoughts
In Missouri, the family of Phil Svitak, a long-time member of the famed 160th Special Operations Regiment who was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2002 received a gift that keeps on giving...a second family.
In a tight-knit unit like the 160th, unit members staying in contact with a fallen member's family in not uncommon. But the Svitak's could not possibly have expected a visit from the unit this past weekend...along with three CH-47s in a flyby of the family farm near Diamond, MO before a hastily scheduled barbecue.
Members of Svitak's son's unit asked if they could stop by and visit and planned on landing their Chinooks in the Svitak's pasture, but after permission to land was turned down by local authorities, the Night Stalkers did a formation flyby instead. After landing at a local airport, they all drove over to the Svitak farm for a barbeque.
As Richard Svitak said to a reporter, "When Phil died, we acquired a whole unit."
It is a shame the "local" authority would not allow the landing at the family place.
Gatvol
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"It is a shame the "local" authority would not allow the landing at the family place."
Probably wasnt Politically Correct. Elected Officals must look out for there jobs.........
Landed in more backyards than I can count and in OD Aircraft. Times change, not always for the better......
Probably wasnt Politically Correct. Elected Officals must look out for there jobs.........
Landed in more backyards than I can count and in OD Aircraft. Times change, not always for the better......
