HMLA-469: IN FLIGHT, IN FIGHT
By Pfc. George Melendez, Marine Corps Air Station Yuma
11 Feb 2016
MARINE XORPS AIR STATION YUMA, Ariz. -- The faint whir of helicopter rotors can be heard in the distance and gets louder as it slices through the desert air overhead. The AH-1Z “Viper” attack helicopter comes to a complete stop, hovering steadily in the sky. A red dash of fire suddenly amasses from the aircraft’s mounted rocket launcher, delivering hell’s fury onto simulated enemies beneath, leaving nothing but a lingering blanket of black smoke.