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CNN Live Saturday
U.S. Pilots Learn From Afghanistan's Harsh Terrain
Aired October 19, 2002 - 18:23 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: If President Bush does decide to strike against Iraq, U.S. pilots already battling terrorism in Afghanistan -- they say they are ready. Afghanistan's harsh terrain has taught them quite a lot as CNN's Sean Callebs learned.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SEAN CALLEBS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): This is a daily occurrence in Afghanistan -- setting a helicopter down almost anywhere in the country kicks up a fierce dust storm and pilots joke that they need the force to help them safely find the ground.
For nearly a year attack helicopters have waged war on terror and the workhorse, the Chinook, has taken fighters into battle as well as re-supply operating bases around the country.
JOHN GUNTER, CHINOOK PILOT: I've learned a lot not only as an aviator but also as a leader to deal with people in extreme situations and I think it's made be a better person.
CALLEBS: Conditions here are harsh and extreme -- sweltering in the summer, freezing at night -- shifting winds, high altitude and the ever present unforgiving dust and dirt. It's not just the pilots -- mechanics, engineers, the entire teams says they will be well served after spending months in Afghanistan if the focus shifts to Iraq.
KENNETH HOOVER, CHINOOK PILOT: We have environments in the U.S. that are similar to this as far as the dust landings and stuff go. But the altitude and the heat and the mountains and the -- just the weather itself -- the wind shears and the wind -- the high altitude -- there's nothing comparable where we're from.
CALLEBS: The Chinook carries a five man team. Every time pilots take off they know the mountains could be shielding al Qaeda or Taliban hold-overs carrying small arms or rocket launchers.
Most of these helicopters fly between three and four times a week.
For the time being the U.S. military is also keeping specially trained helicopter pilots from leaving the service.
Navigating a desert terrain here will benefit pilots if they head to the expanse of the Iraq deserts. And crews have a world of experience handling the challenge that always gets the heart racing. L. STEVEN CONWAY, CHINOOK PILOT: The landing has to be the most tense part because it's like this is it -- it's down and dirty. You basically lose all sight picture in this environment and you're landing by the seat of your pants.
CALLEBS: Pilots say they know they are here for the long haul in an effort to cripple terrorism.
HOOVER: If it takes going to Iraq to continue the campaign I feel it's a good move. Of course, if you go from here to Iraq obviously you're going to be a little tired of being deployed but it's our job.
CALLEBS: And they say despite the risks and the exhaustion they are prepared to head wherever with no questions asked.
Sean Callebs, CNN, Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired October 19, 2002 - 18:23 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: If President Bush does decide to strike against Iraq, U.S. pilots already battling terrorism in Afghanistan -- they say they are ready. Afghanistan's harsh terrain has taught them quite a lot as CNN's Sean Callebs learned.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SEAN CALLEBS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): This is a daily occurrence in Afghanistan -- setting a helicopter down almost anywhere in the country kicks up a fierce dust storm and pilots joke that they need the force to help them safely find the ground.
For nearly a year attack helicopters have waged war on terror and the workhorse, the Chinook, has taken fighters into battle as well as re-supply operating bases around the country.
JOHN GUNTER, CHINOOK PILOT: I've learned a lot not only as an aviator but also as a leader to deal with people in extreme situations and I think it's made be a better person.
CALLEBS: Conditions here are harsh and extreme -- sweltering in the summer, freezing at night -- shifting winds, high altitude and the ever present unforgiving dust and dirt. It's not just the pilots -- mechanics, engineers, the entire teams says they will be well served after spending months in Afghanistan if the focus shifts to Iraq.
KENNETH HOOVER, CHINOOK PILOT: We have environments in the U.S. that are similar to this as far as the dust landings and stuff go. But the altitude and the heat and the mountains and the -- just the weather itself -- the wind shears and the wind -- the high altitude -- there's nothing comparable where we're from.
CALLEBS: The Chinook carries a five man team. Every time pilots take off they know the mountains could be shielding al Qaeda or Taliban hold-overs carrying small arms or rocket launchers.
Most of these helicopters fly between three and four times a week.
For the time being the U.S. military is also keeping specially trained helicopter pilots from leaving the service.
Navigating a desert terrain here will benefit pilots if they head to the expanse of the Iraq deserts. And crews have a world of experience handling the challenge that always gets the heart racing. L. STEVEN CONWAY, CHINOOK PILOT: The landing has to be the most tense part because it's like this is it -- it's down and dirty. You basically lose all sight picture in this environment and you're landing by the seat of your pants.
CALLEBS: Pilots say they know they are here for the long haul in an effort to cripple terrorism.
HOOVER: If it takes going to Iraq to continue the campaign I feel it's a good move. Of course, if you go from here to Iraq obviously you're going to be a little tired of being deployed but it's our job.
CALLEBS: And they say despite the risks and the exhaustion they are prepared to head wherever with no questions asked.
Sean Callebs, CNN, Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
