Black Hawk Down: One Woman Aviator’s Story
Flying a Black Hawk helicopter in Afghanistan is an intense and exhilarating experience that blends precision, skill, and adaptability. As the rugged terrain unfolds beneath, the pilot navigates through complex landscapes ranging from barren deserts to towering mountains. The constant threat of insurgent activity keeps the senses heightened, demanding vigilant awareness.
Operating in this dynamic environment requires split-second decision-making as the aircraft maneuvers through tight valleys and unpredictable weather patterns. The hum of the engine contrasts with the ever-present tension in the air, a reminder of the mission’s gravity. Skilled teamwork between the pilot and crew is paramount; they communicate seamlessly to ensure safe takeoffs, landings, and efficient mission execution.
Gunship Pilot in Vietnam
Amidst the breathtaking views, the pilot must also maintain focus on their instruments, communication systems, and possible threats. The reality of the mission’s importance looms large – transporting troops, delivering supplies, and sometimes evacuating wounded soldiers. This high-stakes environment requires adaptability, as plans can change swiftly in response to emerging developments on the ground.
Perhaps no one understands this better than Army veteran Jennifer Ball. Jen and her identical twin sister Amanda Clary, both military aviators, grew up surrounded by aviation and the thrill of flying. The driving force behind their burning desire to become combat pilots was their dad. He was in special forces and even appeared once on the cover of Sports Illustrated for his skydiving adventures. He was also a wartime gunship pilot in Vietnam.
They Joined ROTC
When Jen and Amanda were in high school, they decided they would pursue careers in aviation. They joined ROTC with the goal of becoming military aviators. With determination and hard work, they both received college scholarships, Jen to USF (University of South Florida) in Tampa and her sister to FIT (Florida Institute of Technology) in South Florida. The hard work and dedication would eventually pay off, with both receiving full military commissions.
While Amanda began her flight training in college, Jen would wait until reporting for duty at FortRucker (Now Fort Novosel) in Alabama to start pilot training. The sisters would go on to actively engage in pilot training at the same location. This was fortunate as it allowed them to help each other throughout what was clearly an intense military aviator training program.
Iraq Would Test Her Resolve
Jen says that flight training was rigorous and that she progressed smoothly. She and her sister were both up for the challenge. She says, “The roll-on landings at night were the hardest thing that I encountered in training.” She goes on to explain that aerodynamic braking is a complex maneuver. You must touch the tail wheel first and execute a stable and controlled landing. Jen noted, “It’s one of the more challenging maneuvers to do as a new helicopter pilot.”
With little time for reflection and barely 30 days out of flight school, Jen found herself deployed to Iraq, where she would see front-line action. Putting her new piloting skills to the challenge in Iraq would test her resolve as well as her mental and physical strength. The former Major in the Army would go on to do three tours, one in Iraq and two in Afghanistan. The dusty, low visibility, low light, and rugged environment of the Middle East desert made for some of the most difficult and harsh flying for the black hawk helicopter.
Hard-Impact Landing
In fact, there was a time while operating in Afghanistan when Jen experienced what is called a drooped rotor, which resulted in a hard-impact landing or crash. She and the entire crew would have to be extracted during this 2008 event. A dropped rotor, often referred to as a “rotor separation” or “rotor blade detachment,” can cause a helicopter to crash due to the severe imbalance it introduces to the aircraft’s rotational system. Helicopters rely on their main rotor to generate lift and control their movements. This experience during her 2nd deployment as a platoon leader in Jalalabad, Afghanistan, would add to Jen’s real-world flying experiences. Eventually, she would also see action in formidable and inhospitable places like Kandahar during the 2012-2013 time period. Jen goes on to explain that “flying the Black Hawk helicopter is a unique experience that is like no other.”
All About the Hover
Jen comments that early on, learning to fly rotorcraft in a smaller training helicopter was a great experience, but stepping up to the Black Hawk was next level in terms of intense piloting experiences. Jen says, “Hovering a Black Hawk is a big experience and a big leap from the trainers.” “Hovering for the first time is a memorable moment because the Black Hawk is so big and stable.”
She went on to say, “Taking off from Kandahar and engaging in air assaults while staging with other utility and assault aircraft like Chinook and Apache helicopters is real-world flight training that can only be gained during active deployment.”
Today, after having completed 10 years of service to her country Jen resides along with her husband in beautiful Savannah, Georgia. She has had to endure life challenges, as we all must from time to time. Her 74-year-old mother recently had a successful kidney transplant. She and her sister remain close and share flying stories from time to time. They will always be thankful to their dad, who passed away a few years ago, for inspiring them to pursue aviation careers.
Come Sail Away
Jen and her sister Amanda currently work for aviation contractors. While not flying positions, the work allows them both to keep a hand in the world of aviation. The contracting enables them to share their real-world earned flying experiences in the form of planning and site visits. As a proud veteran, Jen is also a volunteer with her local American Legion Post 135, VFW chapter.
In the future, Jen and her husband plan to travel and perhaps even take sailing lessons and buy a sailboat. As with flying, blue water sailing is something that challenges you and expands your skill sets in ways that would otherwise not be possible. Jen, her sister, and others like them should be thanked for their service to our country and for the sacrifices that they have made in order that we may all continue to live free.
Awards
Jennifer Ball’s awards and decorations include the Air Medal 2nd Award, Army Commendation Medal w/1 OLC, Iraq Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Medal 3rd Award, NATO Medal, the Senior Aviator Badge, and the Parachutist Badge. Jen says that flight training was rigorous and that she progressed smoothly. She and her sister were both up for the challenge. She says that “The roll-on landings at night were the hardest thing that I encountered in training.” She goes on to explain that aerodynamic braking is a complex maneuver. You must touch the tail wheel first and execute a stable and controlled landing. Jen noted, “It’s one of the more challenging maneuvers to do as a new helicopter pilot. ”With little time for reflection and barely 30 days out of flight school, Jen found herself deployed to Iraq, where she would see front-line action. Putting her new piloting skills to the challenge in Iraq would test her resolve as well as her mental and physical strength. The now former Major in the Army would go on to do three tours, one in Iraq and two in Afghanistan. The dusty low visibility, low light, and rugged environment of the Middle East desert made for some of the most difficult and harsh flying for the black hawk helicopter. Hard-Impact Landing In fact, there was a time while operating in Afghanistan when Jen experienced what is called a drooped rotor, which resulted in a hard-impact landing, or crash. She and the entire crew would have to be extracted during this 2008 event. A dropped rotor, often referred to as a “rotor separation” or “rotor blade detachment,” can cause a helicopter to crash due to the severe imbalance it introduces to the aircraft’s rotational system. Helicopters rely on their main rotor to generate lift and control their movements. This experience during her 2nd deployment as a platoon leader in Jalalabad Afghanistan would add to Jen’s real-world flying experiences. Eventually, she would also see action in formidable and inhospitable places like Kandahar during the 2012-2013 time period. Jen goes on to explain that “flying the Black Hawk helicopter is a unique experience that is like no other.” All About the Hover She comments that early on, learning to fly rotorcraft in a smaller training helicopter was a great experience, but stepping up to the Black Hawk was next level in terms of intense piloting experiences. Jen, says “Hovering a Black Hawk is a big experience and a big leap from the trainers.” “Hovering for the first time is a memorable moment because the Black Hawk is so big and stable.” She went on to say that “Taking off from Kandahar and engaging in air assaults while staging with other utility and assault aircraft like Chinook and Apache helicopters is real-world flight training that can only be gained during active deployment.” Today, after having completed 10 years of service to her country Jen resides along with her husband in beautiful Savannah Georgia. She has had to endure life challenges, as we all must from time to time. Her 74-year-old mother recently had a successful kidney transplant. She and her sister remain close and share flying stores from time to time. They will always be thankful to their dad, who passed a few years ago, for inspiring them to pursue aviation careers. Come Sail Away Jen and her sister Amanda currently work for aviation contractors. While not flying positions, the work allows them both to keep a hand in the world of aviation. The contracting enables them to share their real-world earned flying experiences in the form of planning and site visits. As a proud veteran, Jen is also a volunteer with her local American Legion Post 135, VFW chapter. In the future, Jen and her husband plan to travel and perhaps even take sailing lessons and buy a sailboat. As with flying, blue water sailing is something that challenges you and expands your skill sets in ways that would otherwise not be possible. Jen, her sister, and others like them should be thanked for their service to our country and for the sacrifices that they have made in order that we may all continue to live free. Awards Jennifer Ball’s awards and decorations include the Air Medal 2nd Award, Army Commendation Medal w/1 OLC, Iraq Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Medal 3rd Award, NATO Medal, the Senior Aviator Badge, and the Parachutist Badge.