A UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter landed at CWU for the first time in recent years. The helicopter was part of a larger training event hosted for ROTC and Air Force students at CWU to get hands-on experience in first aid and combat medical situations.
Jacob Daniels, a sophomore studying aviation management, was at the event, and spoke about how the experience was for him. “I did like participating in the event, it was really fun working with the Black Hawk on the radio and calling in 9-lines,” Daniels said. “Something I learned [was], definitely calling in a 9-line in real time and essentially controlling where the helicopter went.”
Daniels also touched on what the ROTC program as a whole has taught him as a student. “Something AFROTC has taught me is to hold true to my character, and let it be a driving factor in how I learn to be a leader,” Daniels said. “I’ve loved all the base visits and events we get to do as a detachment, which add on to all the cool experiences I would not have had otherwise.”
The event was originally just intended for training purposes, but the prospect of a helicopter landing on campus brought students and families from all over Ellensburg to view the rare occurrence.
Jonah Jones, a sophmore industrial engineering student at CWU, was present at the event and witnessed the training exercises taking place. “It was really cool that the ROTC people were able to organize the helicopter to come to campus,” Jones said. “It was especially cool that it landed right outside my dorm.”
Over fifty people showed up to witness the training, lining the entire sidewalk against the lawn of the McIntyre Music Building. The training itself lasted just over an hour, with a barbeque and tours of the helicopter opening up to students and the community afterwards.
Daniels said he hopes that the event can continue for years to come. “I certainly hope it’s something CWU will help continue,” Daniels said. “Not only is it valuable training and practice for ROTC cadets, it’s also a way for other students and families to see something really cool in action, and even go up and touch it, and hopefully inspire them one day.”
