A New EIC Takes the Helm

A New EIC Takes the Helm

By LT Elisha "Grudge" Clark, USN

Hellofrom sunny San Diego! My name is LT Elisha “Grudge” Clark, and I’m happy to introduce myself as your new Editor-in-Chief. A big thank you to LT Annie “Frizzle” Cutchen, who has faithfully served you in that capacity through four (going on five) captivating and impactful issues.

There is nothing more human than a story. In a community spread far and wide across the world, it is crucial to tell the stories capturing the life and times of our rotary-wing and tilt-rotor brothers and sisters. That is why I am so grateful to have this platform to lean on, and so many voices with a story to share.

This issue in particular represents the crew concept we helicopter pilots live and breathe. These pages include recent stories of heroics, along with stories from our past that are fully worth remembering. Inside you’ll find tales of one-wheel landings, rescues in the mountains, and fallen and recovered canyoneers by today’s best of the best in Search and Rescue. CDR LeRoy Cook’s story of the “Clementine Two” rescue may seem far off, but as he describes watching a forgettable movie in the wardroom and trotting groggily off to bed right before the call to action, I bet you can picture yourself there, too.

Building our sense of community is something I am passionate about, and we do that by giving everyone a seat at the table. It would be difficult to fly without pilots and aircrew, this is true. However, it would be next to impossible to meet our mission without steady hands turning wrenches. Our next issue, “Fly, Fix, Fight,” will be focused on our tireless maintenance personnel. We want to hear your stories, your successes, your gripes, and your lessons. Consider this a call to action - do not let your story go untold.