[ExSoldier]

Some VERY unusual aerial activity over my work place today. Normally I know my school is in the flight path for Opalocka airport where the Coast Guard has their choppers stationed, so we'll get some of those French birds (Gazelle maybe?) with the enclosed tail rotor. I know them by sound and have trained myself to ignore them. But right after lunch today, I was in the middle of an economics lesson and the portable classroom shook as a deep thudding sound filled the trailer. I instantly KNEW a BlackHawk was right over head. My kids were terrified. I told them to calm down as the rotors moved off. I kept teaching. Later on I saw more choppers hovering overhead, these were CH47 Chinooks. I suddenly realized that when I myself was a captain in the Florida Army National Guard in the 1980's I wrote the manual of Standard Operating Procedures for my Infantry Battalion that indeed did designate the school where I currently teach as an emergency Landing Zone for helicopters (up to a dozen CH-47's or perhaps 15 UH-1H "Huey's," in case of disaster/riot or other emergency for the size of the athletic field. I wonder if the guard is still using that and is coordinating security operations for tomorrow night's DEBATE?

[RaceBannon]

I think the CG helo is a DAUPHINE, not a Gazelle, the Gazelle has skids like an OH-58 if I remember right.

[Donna Lee Nardo]

They must have their advance men, advance military and advance security all over your area to sweep, practice and prepare.

I hope GWB knocks the socks off of his debate opponent (the orange prune) tomorrow. :)

[MamaDearest]

Likely you are right-on correct with staging plans for the Debate. It's actually very good news to know they are preparing for any eventuality.

[Cindy]

Preparation and Training is always a good idea.
That's probably what you heard and saw.

[Cindy]

and now for an Iraq human interest story....


http://defendamerica.mil/articles/sep2004/a092804d.html

"Troopers Instruct Iraqi Horse Handlers"


By U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Susan German / 122nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

[Godzilla]

I wonder if the guard is still using that and is coordinating security operations for tomorrow night's DEBATE?

Recent news reports indicate that there is a concern about an attack at tonights debate.

[null and void]

I suddenly realized that when I myself was a captain in the Florida Army National Guard in the 1980's I wrote the manual of Standard Operating Procedures for my Infantry Battalion that indeed did designate the school where I currently teach as an emergency Landing Zone for helicopters

LOL! What goes around comes around...

[jerseygirl]

Whoa! Sure sounds like it to me!