When I met Erik, he was in the midst of finishing his book, Dustoff 7-3, which is based on an incredible real life mission he flew and successfully accomplished with a very special team. I read about his Newsweek article and was inspired from the brief share about some of this teams accomplishments. The vibe I get from Erik, both in our communications and watching the Heroes Summit video of him and his crew, was a mix of professionalism, calmness, humbleness, and humor. I asked him if he'd be interested in being one of my Featured Pilot Spotlights on my aviation site/blog WingsConnect / Aviators Lounge blog. He expressed interest, but it wasn't the right time. Well, now it is the right time and he reached back out to me to let me know the interview was a go!! I was very thrilled to gain insights and inspiration from Erik's responses and to share them you all.
I recently read Dustoff 7-3. If you enjoy a story of courage under extreme situations, dedication, and teamwork to pull off what could seem like the impossible for most, then snag a copy of this book. I recommend it. There are details at the end of the blog on where you can find a copy. In finishing his book recently, it gives me even greater pleasure to have this opportunity to virtually introduce to him! I hope you are as inspired by his responses and aviation pictures shared, as I was. Fasten your seatbelt and check out his responses!
Question 1: Tell me your Love at First Flight story and how you fell in love with aviation - where & when was your first flight? Also, what did you fly?
When I was a kid I spent much of my time with my grandparents. A WWII vet, my grandfather was also an Army Aviator, until a bad crash in a B-25 cut his aviation career short. He had aviation books in his home that I would pour over constantly. I remember watching The Wings of Eagles with John Wayne, and it was like a spark. I wanted to be an aviator more than anything as a kid. My first flight was at age 14 on a C-9B Skytrain from Virginia to Florida when I was a Naval Sea Cadet. I remember being completely terrified the entire time, yet determined that I would someday fly myself.
Years later I became a UH-60 Blackhawk crewchief in the 101st Airborne. Still petrified of heights, I loved the job and being part of a crew. I would sit around in my free time reading every aviation magazine I could find. One of my pilots Jason Jones noticed this and remarked that I seemed to love aviation more than any pilot in our unit. I realized then that I would never be satisfied until I had the flight controls in my hands.
In 2007 I flew the TH-67 for the first time at Fort Rucker. Flight school was tough for me. I was much older than my peers and spent every waking moment in the books. I knew this was my last chance to live my dream, and I was determined that nothing was going to derail me. I selected UH-60s in 2008. I wanted 60s because the mission was more diverse than any other airframe in the Army.
Years later I became a UH-60 Blackhawk crewchief in the 101st Airborne. Still petrified of heights, I loved the job and being part of a crew. I would sit around in my free time reading every aviation magazine I could find. One of my pilots Jason Jones noticed this and remarked that I seemed to love aviation more than any pilot in our unit. I realized then that I would never be satisfied until I had the flight controls in my hands.
In 2007 I flew the TH-67 for the first time at Fort Rucker. Flight school was tough for me. I was much older than my peers and spent every waking moment in the books. I knew this was my last chance to live my dream, and I was determined that nothing was going to derail me. I selected UH-60s in 2008. I wanted 60s because the mission was more diverse than any other airframe in the Army.
Question 2: What is the best advice you can give to fellow pilots?
When you have passengers fly like your loved ones are in the back; you are responsible for their lives. Always study and train the maneuvers and tasks you know you're weak at. FLY IFR! For military aviators: a good instrument pilot is usually a good combat pilot.
Question 3: What is your favorite part of being involved in aviation?
Working with people and experiencing new things. I meet people from every walk of life in the military and I get to snatch folks out of really bad places. Nothing feels as good as knowing that in some small way you've made a difference. I also love to travel and seeing the world. Flying for my country has given me the opportunity to do that, and that's a blessing.
Question 4: What is the best eating spots you've found in your aviation travels?
Lamberts in Sikeston, MO., "Home of the Throwed Rolls!" I also like the breakfast in Selma, AL. I'm a foodie, so anywhere that has JP8 and barbecue is just fine with me!
Question 5: What are your favorite airports that you've flown into and why?
I love flying into Jack Edwards near Gulf Shores, AL. It has an out of the way, beach kinda' feel to it and the folks are really friendly. My favorite is one that I've never flown into it, but I loved visiting it as a kid... NAS Oceana. So much great military hardware on the flight line, it kinda takes your breathe away!
Here are a few cool pictures, a glimpse into Erik's Life Adventures!
DANG DUDE! Now that's a cockpit!! A lot more going on than my 152!
He looks very happy with a kind heart.
Cool picture, Erik!
Ready to roll! This picture is aviation awesome!
Faces of Heroes. The Real Fantastic Four. Check out the Newsweek Heroes Summit video below to learn more about each of these soldiers who risked their lives to accomplish an incredible mission. Each member received honors from the Army based on their actions on this mission. Snag a copy of Dustoff 7-3!
Erik at one of his book releases. His reviews are 5 out of 5 Stars!! Read Dustoff 7-3!
Check out the link below to order a copy of the book on Amazon! Such a big part of this book that really touched my heart and mind was the dedication the crew had to saving lives or being there to retrieve bodies of fallen soldiers. I sensed a fierceness to get the job done, perseverance and leave no one behind mentality. Very inspiring story of just how much this team went through and supported one another to accomplish what they did.
Erik! Thank you so much for taking the time to share your responses and avi action pictures!! I really enjoyed getting to know you further through them and am excited to share your story. Your determination to achieve your goals, overcome challenges and excitement about the opportunities the Life of aviation has given is very inspiring.
Each interview I have done is unique, very special and inspiring. Each person has different experiences and tips, but what I find is an underlying commonality in those who have found their love of flight. We are all extremely passionate and driven. I'm very grateful to have found in Aviation something so challenging, rewarding, and the opportunity to meet some of the most interesting souls in pilots. I have admiration for those who push past status quo, push themselves to achieve more, persevere even when others may not understand or support your drive or where you are headed. Another group that comes to mind with these characteristics, kicked up even more notches is Special Forces, but that'll be another blog post.:-)
Anyways, those who know me know I hold a special spot in my heart for our Troops, Real American Heroes. Erik and his crew are the kind of unsung heroes who put themselves in harms way with such an intense sense of duty, caring for those in need despite extreme challenges. I'm glad his book sheds light on the extraordinary accomplishments of this team. I found the story a glimpse into a fascinating world I won't see personally, very inspiring and leaves me with more gratitude on top of what I have for the unsung heroes in our Military!
Growing up on military bases, I admired the strong sense of duty quality very much in many positive examples I saw. There was an above average sense of serving, not for fame and glory, but a sense of pride and community. I felt that same appreciation reading the actions of the troops in Dustoff 7-3. From the story, I took away a strong sense that each crew member brought important qualities and support, at different times and sometimes at the same time, resulting in a winning team dynamic that netted an exceptional mission accomplished.
Dustoff 7-3, the crew Erik was a part of, received the Army Aviation Association of America's top honor for their mission, featured in his book, that occurred in Kunar Providence Afghanistan in June 2011. This mission was named Air/Sea Rescue that year. All 4 crew members received a Metal of Valor. Sabiston, Bringloe, and Brodhead received the Distinguished Flying Cross, the highest award in aviation. Capps received the Air Medal of Valor.
Pick up a copy, read it and may you also be as inspired as I was that a crew as dedicated and giving their all exists. If I had someone I loved serving and they found themselves injured, I'd pray a crew like this would sweep them up out of harms way.
In addition to reading the book, check out this cool video of them as part of Newsweek's Heroes Summit:
http://original.livestream.com/herosummit/video?clipId=pla_a7920dac-206d-4a00-8d84-950ce746b5acGet connected with him online to follow the latest:
Dustoff 7-3 (Facebook)
@ErikSabiston (Twitter)
Happy and Safe Flying, Always!
Emily
@AeroEms or @ WingsConnect (Instagram /Twitter)
Here are additional links on media associated with the book and story of Dustoff 7-3:
http://www.businessinsider.com/how-us-soldiers-saved-their-helicopter-2015-5
http://taskandpurpose.com/the-heartbreaking-story-behind-the-dustoff-7-3-rescues-in-afghanistan/
http://www.verticalmag.com/news/article/DUSTOFF73SavingLivesUnderFireinAfghanistan
http://www.verticalmag.com/news/article/QAwithErikSabistonUH60InstructorPilotAuthor
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dustoff-7-3-erik-sabiston/1121664577?ean=9780989798365
http://www.amazon.com/Dustoff-7-3-Erik-Sabiston/dp/0989798364
http://original.livestream.com/herosummit/video?clipId=pla_a7920dac-206d-4a00-8d84-950ce746b5ac
http://www.warriorspublishing.com/?p=594
http://www.nhregister.com/arts-and-entertainment/20150517/milford-native-tells-of-brave-us-army-helicopter-mission-in-dustoff-7-3
http://www.dothaneagle.com/lifestyles/local/fort-rucker-instructor-pilot-recounts-decorated-mission-in-new-book/article_60ed4b60-fa8e-11e4-a83b-5ba5c3dfa790.html
http://www.stripes.com/news/special-reports/heroes/heroes-2013/i-didn-t-fly-with-my-own-two-arms-1.224801
http://www.newsweek.com/afghanistans-valley-death-medevac-teams-miracle-rescue-63779
http://www.wearethemighty.com/this-army-medic-saved-14-lives-with-a-broken-leg-while-under-fire-2015-05
http://www.businessinsider.com/this-army-medevac-pilot-rescued-more-than-a-dozen-soldiers-during-a-deadly-60-hour-mission-2012-5
http://taskandpurpose.com/unsung-heroes-this-army-medic-overcame-gunfire-and-a-broken-leg-to-save-14-soldiers/
http://www.insidebainbridge.com/2012/10/03/bainbridges-julia-bringloe-7th-woman-awarded-flying-cross-medal-amelia-earhart-was-the-1st/
http://www.c-span.org/person/?juliabringloe
http://www.punditreview.com/2012/06/sysk-sgt-julia-bringloe/
http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/article/20130129/NEWS03/701299857
http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2013/08/08/afghan-medevacs-run-to-gunfire-explosions-to-rescue-injured-comrades
http://www.readperiodicals.com/201403/3265818431.html
http://archive.armytimes.com/article/20120423/NEWS/204230311/Black-Hawk-crew-honored-3-heroic-days
http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/opinion/freepress/story/2012/may/29/chattanooga-meet-julia-both-of-them/78925/
http://www.army.mil/article/87259/10th_CAB_aviators_receive_awards_for_valor/
https://twitter.com/eriksabiston
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dustoff-7-3/538460959617404
Media and Author Endorsements:
"Absolutely incredible." - Charlie Rose, CBS News
"This story is extraordinary!" - Martha Raddatz, ABC News
"You guys are crazy!" - Renee Montagne, NPR News
"I have just read a marvelous book that I wish to recommend to all Americans, Dustoff 7-3 by Erik Sabiston. The flying was on the absolute edge, harrowing beyond description. Sabiston does a magnificent job… I was blown away! Flying at the fringes of the machine's capability, in terrible weather and under enemy fire much of the time, he and his crew in an unarmed Blackhawk rescued 14 wounded soldiers, made three critical resupply runs, recovered two soldiers KIA, and nearly died several times. All in three days. Dustoff 7-3 is a combat helicopter flying tale right on par with CHICKENHAWK by Robert Mason, which I thought was the finest true combat helicopter story ever written until I read Sabiston's work. I'm going to put Sabiston's book on the shelf side by side with Mason's. After I read Dustoff 7-3, I have been shaking hands with every soldier I meet. They are all heroes to me!" - Stephen Coonts - 17-Time NY Times bestselling author of "Flight of the Intruder"
"This is a great book! It puts you in the seat and offers an intimate look at the men and women who put it all on the line when troops are in need." - Kevin Maurer, #1 NY Times Bestselling Author of “No Easy Day"
You want to know what the phrase "courage under fire" is really all about? Read Erik Sabiston's Dustoff 7-3." - John Weisman, 7-Time NY Timesbestselling author of "KBL"
"An engaging and thrilling insight into the world of US Army MEDEVAC's in Afghanistan. Erik does a wonderful job detailing the dangerous calls and the bravery demonstrated by not only the medics but the fearless pilots." - Marty Katz, Film Producer of “Titanic” & “The Great Raid”
"Erik Sabiston and the crew of Dust Off 7-3 are real-deal American heroes." - Scott MacTavish, Author of “Battle Ready” & director of “MURPH: The Protector”
"I used to wonder who those angels were that flew into our most hellish moments in combat, those men and women who would risk everything to save us or at least return our dead. After reading Dustoff 7-3, now I know." - MAJ (Ret.) Rusty Bradley, author of "Lions of Kandahar"
“It’s about time their story is told.” – Leslie Marshall, FOX News Channel contributor, Nationally Syndicated Radio Host and Blog Columnist
“A gripping and heart-pounding tale of duty, and near death for the chopper crew, Dustoff 7-3represents a war story of gallantry.” – Jay Strafford, Richmond Times Dispatch
“A brave, cool hand behind the stick by necessity, Sabiston also writes astutely, cutting his deck of drama-riddled “cards” with slices of wry humor and true-life human interest. In doing so, he deals a winning hand.” – Dorcey Wingo, Vertical Magazine
"I expected adrenaline junkies or war cowboys, but instead found four regular people susceptible to the same fears and doubts as anyone else." - Tony Dokoupil, NBC News
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