Ok, Let's hear from all the military or prior military folks that have the RX8. If you were in helicopters before then you have a dual "rotor head" role now. Fixed wing (or zoomies) or other fields are perfect as well. Lets hear from ya ... I'll start.

Hubby = MSgt Retired USAF, H-53, H-3, H-60, H-1 (Rotor Head)
Me = TSgt USAF 10 Years, Information Technology and H-60's

Zoom Zoom

Staff Sergeant Rosado, U.S. Army, reporting in.

Triple rotor head, CH-47D Helicopter Flight Engineer and of course, 2004 Mazda RX8 daily driver.


Currently serving as Recruiter in Jacksonville, FL......but always a RotorHead.

RX8Power

IGNORE THE PREVIEWS USER NAME

Staff Sergeant Rosado, U.S. Army, reporting in.

Triple rotor head, CH-47D Helicopter Flight Engineer and of course, 2004 Mazda RX8 daily driver.


Currently serving as Recruiter in Jacksonville, FL......but always a RotorHead.

Staff Sergeant Kirk, U.S. Air Force
High Voltage Electrician by trade.
Right now instructor at Electrical school @ Sheppard AFB, TX

The 8 is my first rotary and I love it.

Spc. Paprzycki US Army
31S Satellite Communications

Now I work for the NSF ( National Science Foundation) in Antarctica. I fix Precision Approach Radar, Tacan, Automated Weather Systems, SATCOM, Radio UHF HF VHF....etc

My 4th rotary and still lovin it! I currently have an RX7 and RX8!

SSG, U.S. Army Retired
68XHA2TQ (15X)

68M/J AH-1 Cobra series Armament/Firecontrol Repairman / AH-64A Apache Mechanic/Armament/Firecontrol/Electrician

Pulau Electronics Corp maintaining AH-64A maintenance trainig devices for the Advanced Attack Armament Division. on Ft. Eustis, Virginia.

(f you went thru the 68X (10, 30) course from '94-'98 Then I was your instructor!


Sunlight silver 2004 RX-8 AT Sport pkg as a daily driver.

US ARMY (wife) My Rotary, and I love it!
Hubby 19k (tanker) but serving as a Drill Sgt. here.

I am a military nurse and Paramedic. I have one waiting for me in my parents garage when I leave Iraq. I bought it on leave and didn't get to drive it yet...

Andrew

Originally posted by SARmedic
I am a military nurse and Paramedic. I have one waiting for me in my parents garage when I leave Iraq. I bought it on leave and didn't get to drive it yet...

Andrew

Andrew,
You be very careful and stay alert. God's speed.
John
173rd ABN BDE
A 3/319 FA
A distant memory

SPC Mark Hoffmann US. Army ( 1990 - 1997 )

68F Aircraft Electrician. Last unit worked on Blackhawks.

SSgt Rich
F-15 "Eagle" Avionics Technician
Currently F-15 Avionics A-Shop Instructor
@ Sheppard AFB, Wichita Falls, TX

I wanna take a moment for all brothers and sisters deployed and dedicate this to them:

They soar in jets above the land,
They sail beyond the seas.
They march across the desert,
They crawl between the trees.

No matter what the role they play
Each chooses to protect
The lives of all who live free
For this we owe a debt.

Today, and every single day
'Til each returns safe and sound,
Please say a little prayer with me
For the troops: air, sea, and ground.

God Please...
Grant them courage,
When times seem bleak.
Grant them strength,
When they feel weak.
Grant them comfort,
When they feel all alone,
And most of all, God,
Please bring them all home.

God bless you guys.



RX8Power

AOCS MONAHAN USN ACTIVE WITH 21 YEARS IN.

CURRENTLY STATIONED AT HSL-40 SH-60B AT MAYPORT.
BEEN ROTARY FOR 20 YEARS AND LOVE EVERY MINUTE OF IT.


CHRIS

SSgt Ed Thorne (1989-1996)
2A452 Comm/Nav Specialist
16th HGS/55th SOS
16th Special Operations Wing
Hurlburt Field, Florida

I don't have my 8 yet but my trip to the dealership tommorrow should have me in one in the next two weeks if I'm lucky.

Given your hubby's experience Jen, I'd say there's a small chance we've met before.

SSgt Jason Peters
E-3 AWACS Flight Engineer, Tinker AFB, OK
Former B-52H Crew Chief, Barksdale AFB, OK

Lovin' my 8'!

Corporal USMC 1986-1990
Boot Camp Parris Island
Security Forces (guarding naval weapons depot Seal Beach, Ca)
3rd Battalion 8th Marines (grunt)

MSGT Sanford (Sandy) Lubell USAF/RETIRED 24 Years I worked on C141A & B and EC135, a bunch of fun from 1966-1990.

Just bought an RX8, and just love it. The past 8 years having been driving Corvette's which I still own. I love my RX8.

I wish all our men and women in uniform a safe return, and god bless the USA.

Captain, discharged now (honorably!)
USA 2nd Infantry Division, 152 nd Armored Battalion
Later 109th Evac Hospital
Only 6 hours OH-6 (rotorhead time!)
Civilian rating Private Pilot, Instrument Pilot, Single Engine Land,
Currently flying 1990 Mooney M20J, based at KPQL in Pascagoula MS
2004 RX8 Nordic Green GT with all the goodies except NAV system (which I don't need cause I got a Garmin 196) :)

AT2(NAC) GRAY J.D.
MH-53'S HH-1NS AND UC-12B
ACTIVE DUTY 6 YRS PLUS

SGT Freeman
223 MP Co. now work for USAREC at Knox, cake job.
One of you pilots need to come show me how to fly so I can go to WOFT.

Navy 13yrs.
E-6
Jet Engine Mechanic. P-3's, C-130's, F/A-18 engines, C-130 and P-3 APU's.
Stationed in IL, CA, TX.
Med Cruise 2003 on USS Roosevelt

Aviation Electronics
U.S. Navy 20 Years
Pattaya Beach, Thailand is all I can remember..... :D :D

MSgt USAF Whiteman Air Force Base, home of the B2.
Superintendent Traffic Management
To all fellow armed forces men and women,thanks for what you do everyday and for those deployed or getting ready or on remotes away from family hang in there and much love from a fellow military member...

US Coast Guard
E-6
4.3 YEARS
Operations Specialist
http://www.gocoastguard.com/Rates_Videos/os.mpg

Any more military members new to the forum since last post??

well not new here, but first time i've seen this.

USN Active Duty almost 7 years
ET1/SS
currently stationed in Charleston, SC
And if you helo guys/gals can claim to be dual rotorheads, so can I. Well triple, as we have 2 steam turbine engines (hmm actually 4, 2 ahead and 2 astern)

Active Duty Army (4 yrs)
previous 68X10 (armament and electrical systems technition for the AH-64A Apache.....*takes breath*)
Now a Warrant Officer 1 in WOFT (CW2 in april!) as an OH-58D pilot here in Fort Rucker, AL


One of you pilots need to come show me how to fly so I can go to WOFT.

Hey all u gotta do is get here.. :) they'll train you up..promise. selection is right there in Knox if you believe it.. maybe you can get a hook-up!

Retires 1SG U.S. Army. Many mos's. I gave myself an 8 as a retirement present.

Congratulation on your retirement "TOP". Enjoy you present!! ;D

PV2, PFC, SPC, CPL, and SGT - US Army (Active 6 yrs, Natl Guard 2)
14S - STINGER/AVENGER Team Leader
71L - Admin

Current Dept of Army GS Civilian - strategic planner.

hoooah! :)

The 8 is my first rotary. :)

Let's see....CH-47 Chinook, UH-1 Iroquois (Huey), AH-1 Cobra, UH-60 Blackhawk, AH-64 Apache. Plus my '8 of course.

Wow, that's a lot of rotors!

USAF TSgt w/ 15 yrs in. Information Technologies. Have been assigned w/ Army (8ID/1AD) and 2 joint service assignments (HQ EUCOM and SOCCENT).

Like to say thanks to the folks in the real military ... the ones in forward locations getting it done. Thanks for what you do so we at home can sleep easy.

USAF SSgt, 6 years, discharged long ago :D
Worked Information Technology (mainframes)
Assignments to 354th TFW (A-10) and HQ EUCOM.
I'm 7th generation military.
Now working for a consulting firm in the DC area doing IT for DoD and other agencies *cough*

This is my first rotary, and I'm lovin' every minute of it! :)

To my brothers and sisters still out there, hang in there folks! And yes, SOME of us appreciate the sacrifices you're making.

Well, not hard core military like you US folks...

9 years as an Infantryman, Platoon/Company/Battalion Comms NCO, Section 2IC in the Canadian Infantry Reserve.

Mortar Qualified in '91, Infantry Comms in '92, Basic Para in '92.

Served in our regiment's Jump Platoon from '92 till it was disbanded in '94.

A1C reporting in...with a salute to the rotary!

Right now I am in some tech school at Sheppard AFB, Witchita Falls right now, training to be a C-130 crew chief. I've seen you rotary guys around, and its definitely a nice sight to see in the desolation of the texoma area :cool:

I will be heading down to Hurlburt Air Field, Florida in late April, and am planning to cross train into combat control down the road, and then when I finish my degree gain a commission.

Presently I am assigned to the 360 TRS, and will be reporting to the 16th special ops.

Own 2 RX7s, and have an 8 in the family...I won't buy one personally till a turboed 8 or 4th gen 7 emerges.

CTT1(AW/NAC) ---just picked it up, last military roll call I was a 2nd Class---

WOOT!

EP-3E Aircrewman. 4 turboprops baby! the mighty sky pig

USMC
Cpl.
MOTOR-T: Infantry with a driver's license.

USMC
Sgt
1st Marine Expeditionary Force

Why is it the enlisted guys get all the fun????

USAF O-3 Active 8 yrs Reserve 2 yrs
Spook

Because you are too busy spending all that extra money you earn!! :D

Why is it the enlisted guys get all the fun????



That's why I wouldn't trade being Enlisted for the world.

Yea, but only officers get to drive the military's single rotors, like....

http://www.world-digest.com/Fact/air/AH_1W_Cobra.jpg

Somebody tell me why the Army went with the Apache. :confused:

Not necessarily on-topic, but having friends and family in the 3rd Marine Air Wing out of Miramar CA involved in the CH-53E tragedy, I wanted to say thanks, "chopper-heads"(lol!).
To those abroad whether rotor-heads, wingies, swabbies, grunts, desk pogues, or count-less others to mention yet no less in the limelight or important, come home ( http://www.clermontyellow.accountsupport.com/flash/UntilThen.swf). Soon.....

Spc US Army (2002-2004)
Medical discharge (ouch i'm broken)
3ID Rock of the marne, 10th engineer Battalion & 4th battalion 64th armored regiment
12b (later renamed 21b)
Sapper for life!

SGT US Army 1997 - 2001
31R2P 'LOS Radio Dude'
Honorable Discharge

No rotary flight experience but I did get to jump
out of a Chinook in PLDC...HOOOAH!!! :o sorry...

Oh yea,
Bravo Co, 327th Signal Bn, FT Bragg, NC

No rotary flight experience but I did get to jump
out of a Chinook in PLDC...HOOOAH!!! :o sorry...

You did an ABN op out of a Chinook?!? I know they can be set up for it but I've never heard of anyone actually jumping from one.

Have you heard of guys going out the back of a Skycrane? Our platoon did it in the early 90's (before I was part of the Jump platoon).

3-325 Airborne Infantry Regiment, "SCOUTS" sniper/recon, 82nd Airborne Division

I have 7 jumps from a Chinook

Until you mentioned it, I've never heard of a Skycrane being used to transport troops. When I think of the Skycrane, I think of the skeleton helicopter used to recover downed aircraft in Vietnam. Is the Skycrane still in service?

Did they jump static or free-fall from the Skycrane? (I know the Chinook is set up for static line.)

jumped right out the back

You did an ABN op out of a Chinook?!? I know they can be set up for it but I've never heard of anyone actually jumping from one.

Happens ALL the time. And of course you have seen it! Ever see a picture of someone jumping out of a HUGE hatch? More than likely, that is a lovely chi-chi they are dropping out of. They are the Army's workhorse. They are the fastest helicopters the Army has (no joke) and are capable of sling-loading a chi-chi themselves.

Happens ALL the time. And of course you have seen it! Ever see a picture of someone jumping out of a HUGE hatch? More than likely, that is a lovely chi-chi they are dropping out of. They are the Army's workhorse. They are the fastest helicopters the Army has (no joke) and are capable of sling-loading a chi-chi themselves.

How often it happens would depend on your unit. I never belonged to an ABN avaition unit.

And you're preaching to the choir about the Chinook, CH-47 Crew Chief was my 1st MOS. It can sling load a 2nd Chinook and still beat the Apache by 30 knots. BTW, it's called the ramp not a hatch.

Skycrane/hook was configured with a cargo box underneath if I recall correctly. They went static line (line was on the floor). The jump was in Nevada, sometime in the early 90's, possibly '91.

Here's the Skycrane I normally think of,
http://rotored.arc.nasa.gov/images/skycrane.jpg

I also found this pic,
http://www.aviation-central.com/helicopters/images/aha7d-st.jpg

CTT1(AW/NAC) ---just picked it up, last military roll call I was a 2nd Class---

WOOT!

EP-3E Aircrewman. 4 turboprops baby! the mighty sky pig
CT? EP-3? So............... how about this weather we're havin, huh? ;)

US Army 1985-1991 SPC, Avionics Mech and door gunner

Multi-rotorhead:

1986-89 stationed Ansbach Germany 2/1 Avn Regt. 1st Armor Div AH-1F Cobra's, UH-1 Huey's, OH-58 Kiowa's

1989-1991 stationed Savannah Georgia 2/159th Avn. Regt. 18th Airborne Corp. (rapid deployment force) CH-47D Chinnooks...

1991-1994 worked for Lockheed on AH-64 Apache's, UH-60 Blackhawks, and CH-47 D's.

2004 RX-8

The RX8 is not that fastest Rotorhead (CH-47), not the most lethal (AH-64), not the most covert (OH-58), can't fit a whole squad (UH-60), and it can't haul the heaviest load (CH-47), but it is the funnest one that I can pilot... :D

To all you grunts, wingjocks, ground pounders, squids, jarheads, cannon cockers, tankers, pencil pushers, REMF's ( you gotta be in the know), roto-heads and non-roto-heads, You all keep your heads down, complete the mission, and come home safe...AIRBORNE!!!

US Army 1985-1991 SPC, Avionics Mech and door gunner

Multi-rotorhead:

1986-89 stationed Ansbach Germany 2/1 Avn Regt. 1st Armor Div AH-1F Cobra's, UH-1 Huey's, OH-58 Kiowa's

1989-1991 stationed Savannah Georgia 2/159th Avn. Regt. 18th Airborne Corp. (rapid deployment force) CH-47D Chinnooks...

1991-1994 worked for Lockheed on AH-64 Apache's, UH-60 Blackhawks, and CH-47 D's.

2004 RX-8

The RX8 is not that fastest Rotorhead (CH-47), not the most lethal (AH-64), not the most covert (OH-58), can't fit a whole squad (UH-60), and it can't haul the heaviest load (CH-47), but it is the funnest one that I can pilot... :D

To all you grunts, wingjocks, ground pounders, squids, jarheads, cannon cockers, tankers, pencil pushers, REMF's ( you gotta be in the know), roto-heads and non-roto-heads, You all keep your heads down, complete the mission, and come home safe...AIRBORNE!!!
Don't forget the bullet packers and BB stackers. ;)

You did an ABN op out of a Chinook?!? I know they can be set up for it but I've never heard of anyone actually jumping from one.

It is widely used. Like I said, I was only lucky enough to jump out of one once in PLDC. It was by far the best jump, I felt like I was walking into a 15' wide big screen TV with the channel showing a clear blue sky. Without the prop wash of a C-130 or a C-141, it was nice (gentle? :D ) and had a 4 second 'free' drop before the static line pulled your main as opposed to a 2 second drop. It was called a tailgate jump.

BTW, anybody get a set of foreign jump wings? I got a set of Canadian wings simply by being on a jump with Canadian jumpmasters. Was exactly same pre-jump and in-flight, only additional command was "UNDO...SEATBELT!!!" We were cracking up...

I've done enough sling load ops underneath single rotor helicopters, I doubt the rotor-wash from a CH-47 was gentle ;). I'd guess the biggest difference was the airspeed between the fixed and rotory wing jumps.

Edit: I guess there are a number of things the CH-47 can do, that I've never actually heard of anyone doing (like water landings, in-flight refuel, ABN/AAS). I guess that kind of stuff is done mostly by "secret squirrel" units.

Red's Faster:

It's "SEATBELTS... OFF!" :-)

I jumped with some US Army Rangers in January of 93 in the snow at DZ Buxton in Alberta. They were there for 3 jumps. 3 Jumps and you get your Canadian wings. Same crossover for us. 3 Jumps from US Aircraft with US parachutes, with US JMs and we'd get our US wings.

Did you ever jump out the back of a C-130? It is just like jumping into a picture window!

Red's Faster:

It's "SEATBELTS... OFF!" :-)

I jumped with some US Army Rangers in January of 93 in the snow at DZ Buxton in Alberta. They were there for 3 jumps. 3 Jumps and you get your Canadian wings. Same crossover for us. 3 Jumps from US Aircraft with US parachutes, with US JMs and we'd get our US wings.

Did you ever jump out the back of a C-130? It is just like jumping into a picture window!

I remember it as 'Undo...seatbelts' ÜberJumper, but I will definitely take the word of a jumpmaster. I only did the one jump though and got the wings. I never did a tailgate jump from a C-130, I'm sure that would've been cool. I broke out my Class A's and got a picture of the wings, pretty sweet...

Canadian wings
http://img131.exs.cx/img131/3729/picture0049px.jpg

US Army wings
http://img131.exs.cx/img131/2961/picture0052rk.jpg

Well, I'm not a JM, and I only got in 17 jumps, but you know how Airborne School is, they freaking beat it into you. 12 years later and I can still visualize the JM on my first jump.

LOOK THIS WAY!
SEATBELTS OFF!
GET READY!
STAND UP!
HOOK UP!
CHECK STATIC LINES!
CHECK YOUR EQUIPMENT!
SOUND OFF FOR EQUIPMENT CHECK!

(wow, an appropriate use of all caps)

I only did two ramp jumps out of the back of a C130, and those were the required ones at Jump school. One bareass, one with equipment, both from 1000' AGL. The other 4 were door jumps, one of them night, 1 bareass, the other 3 with equipment (night jump was with equipment), all four from 1200' AGL.

The best part about Basic Para in Canada is the French Canadian instructors. haha I wish I could do a french accent by typing. I swear the accent gets me going every time.

That, and the freakin' snow shoes.

Best shot I ever got under canopy... http://uberjumper.hwcommunity.com/gallery/military/dropshack

well, maybe this one...
http://uberjumper.hwcommunity.com/gallery/military/MEINAIR

I really should re-scan those...

Wow! An old thread. I've been here for some time and just stumbled across this one finally.

CW2 Gilman reporting in.

ADA Warrant Officer.

GMG2 (SW/AC)
13 years US Navy
Diver Second Class--Amphibious Reconnaissance and SAR

I didn't fly 'em, just jumped out.

U.S. Army 1999 to Present.
SGT. Cruz, V.
19 Delta (19D20) Cavalry Scout Team Leader, Truck and Bradley Commander.
Ft. Hood, TX.
2 OIF rotations. First was with 1CAV, the second with 4ID
a couple of air assault missions during OIFs.

1st time 8 owner and loving it. Learned alot, but need alot more to learn.

I wanna take a moment for all brothers and sisters deployed and dedicate this to them:

They soar in jets above the land,
They sail beyond the seas.
They march across the desert,
They crawl between the trees.

No matter what the role they play
Each chooses to protect
The lives of all who live free
For this we owe a debt.

Today, and every single day
'Til each returns safe and sound,
Please say a little prayer with me
For the troops: air, sea, and ground.

God Please...
Grant them courage,
When times seem bleak.
Grant them strength,
When they feel weak.
Grant them comfort,
When they feel all alone,
And most of all, God,
Please bring them all home.

God bless you guys.



RX8Power

Thanks.....

Hubby, D.O.D contractor,TMP Equip. Supervisor,3 YRS in Iraq
Son, SPC. US ARMY Heavy Equip Operator. Deployed in August 06, Turned 20 in September 06.

Im the rotorhead..but they love her because I do.

2006 RX8

MSgt - retired 32yrs 8 months.
10 years active duty USAF (R&D)
8 years 118 TAC Hosp ANG out of Nashville
3 years 113 TAC Hosp ANG out of D.C.
Rest of the time 129th Air Rescue out of Moffett (Uncle Sugar's Flying Circus)
Jolly Green Giants - Herky Birds


I'll hand you a cup of hot coffee and throw you a warm blanket, when they get you out of the sea, keep you alive, until we get you into a safe place, and spit in the eye of the angel of death until he flaps off to take a shower!

C-130 rolling down the strip
P.J. Daddy going to take a little trip
Look up, hook up, shuffle to the door
Step right out and count to four
If my 'shute don't open wide
I've got another one by my side
If that 'shute don't come around
I'll be the first to hit the ground!

Cpl - 2yr active, 1yr reserve
MOS: Korean Cryptologic Linguist
1st division while active out in Pendelton and then Iraq
Currently Reserved with the 4th Division out in New Orleans

------
After I finish schooling hope to become a Medical Corps officer in the Navy as a trauma surgeon and go career ...just sad it will take me out of the men's department

Marines never die, we just go to hell and regroup!
Semper Fi

77-80, army, 12b

EOD, I blow shit up.

EOD, I blow shit up.

You guys sure do more than that, I needed some plastic land mine outer shells - not the inside explosives - so we could test an XRF detection system and see if we could see the cases under 2 inches of dirt

The EOD gang gave us their stuff - as we sat there we realized that EOD had to get the shells off of the explosives and still have fingers and toes.....

Respect man!

1LT Army National Guard and former Marine

Capt, USAF

Been 7 1/2 years now since I graduated from USAFA

MH-53M pilot from 2002 until now

Next month going to get qualified in the CV-22

I'll tack on to the USAFA tally....'07 grad

2Lt Nation
Sheppard AFB, TX
AFSC: 92T0 (Pilot Candidate)

Cheers!

Sgt -USMC 3521Motor T mech

SrA (SSgt Selectee) - USAF 55AMXS/4th AMU Crew Chief 135s

army

Fort Benning has signed in...

SSG 10101010

_________
USAF SSGT
DAN VIRAY

572 Contingency Response Group
615 Contingency Response Wing

USAF SSgt August 2003 - Current
Firefighter, Hickam AFB, Hawaii
2006 Galaxy Grey Shinka

(S)Sgt in the USAF, interior electrician stationed at Hickam AFB, Hawaii; got my 8 last May!

SPC Robert Chop
CT Army National Guard.

CH-47D Helicopter Flight Engineer
Former AH-64A Crew cheif.
Airborn all the Way....

Kane Tomlin, SSG
US Army Deep Sea Diver
Lead Diver

Deployed in OIF for 15 months......yes, I said 15.
Deployed again to OIF for 12 Months

I am Retired SRA AF. My Advice for you all is: "Don't piss off the Chief" because you will never get promoted.

Corpsman attached to Seal Team One at the start of my career as a medical attachment.

Went on to more schooling then was attached to 3rd Recon where I spent two tours in Iraq.

Got out in 09 as an HM3.

SSgt in USAF.. KC-10 Flight Engineer
32nd ARS McGuire AFB, NJ

but i'm the aircraft commander of my 8 :cool:

2LT in KYARNG,
Currently at Ft. Leonard Wood MO
21B - Combat Engineers

Rangers do lead the way, after the Sappers make it clear.

SrA. Kevin Eells
3P051 (Security Forces)
2 deployments for OEF halfway through my second one now with the Army. My next deployment I am going to be a super fobbit where the only time I get shot at is when I am playing call of duty.:suspect: I have earned way too many medals to not get an Air Force deployment vacation next... I think my CAB, AFCAM, Purple Heart, and a couple ARCOMs for Valor should get me my vacation....

Sgt 0311 - USMC 2001 - 2006
2/3 G Co