As a Pilot, Choose the Mission of the Helicopter It Performs, Not the Type of Helicopter You Will Fly

“Afghanistan Memories of OH-58D Kiowa Fighter Pilot Ryan Robicheaux” published yesterday in STRASAM ((https://strasam.org/savunma/kara-silah-ve-sistemleri/oh-58d-kiowa-pilotu-ryan-robicheauxun-afganistan-anilari-3003) In connection with this article, the interview of author Tamás SÓRÁD with Ryan ROBICHEAUX is full of interesting facts. It was a full, information-filled interview. I wish you pleasant reading.

Helicopter subunits took the lion's share of the operations of American forces in Afghanistan. The OH-58D Kiowa Warrior, a rarely mentioned rotary wing aircraft overshadowed by better-known types such as the AH-64 Apache, UH-60 Black Hawk or CH-47 Chinook, also played an important role during the conflict. The operational environment in Afghanistan proved ideal for the type developed during the Cold War.

Pictured below is U.S. Army veteran and former OH-58D Kiowa Warrior pilot Ryan Robicheaux.

In the photo above, Erik and the Chico - Kiowa crew are seen preparing for a night takeoff

U.S. Army veteran and former OH-58D Kiowa Warrior pilot Ryan Robicheaux was a high school student when the attacks on the World Trade Center occurred on September 11, 2001. Along with family traditions, this incident also sparked his interest in military service. Both of his grandfathers fought in the Pacific in World War II, while his father flew the A-6 Intruder in the Marine Corps. Ryan Robicheaux continued his education in college and joined the National Guard, where he received refresher training along the way. His real goal was to fly, and in his last year of college he realized that he didn't want to be a fighter pilot, he wanted to fly army helicopters. He also decided to apply for search and rescue officer training rather than officer school, because he was only interested in flying in the future, not advancing in command.

When he received helicopter pilot training at the Army Flight School at Fort Rucker after midshipman training, he liked the independent, autonomous operation of the OH-58D Kiowa Warriors, a mission system based on reconnaissance and support of ground troops. His brother also told him a lot about the Kiowa pilots who got them out of difficult situations in Iraq. For this reason, he followed the advice of one of his instructors: 'As a Pilot, Choose the Mission of the Helicopter It Performs, Not the Type of Helicopter You Will Fly!'

Ryan resorted to the OH-58D. A trained helicopter pilot, he settled in Savannah, Georgia, and was assigned to the 3rd Company of the 17th Regiment (3-17 Cavalry), which continues the cavalry tradition at Hunter Air Force Base. He gained combat experience in Afghanistan, where he served for a year in Bagram in 2010 and in Kandahar for nine months in 2013. His battlefield service left a deep mark on him, and he described his experiences in a 400-page book published in 2021. I asked Ryan Robicheaux about these experiences and daily life in Afghanistan.

Did your previous education prepare you for the asymmetric war that awaits in Afghanistan?

Not really, it was more on a team level. The senior pilots tried to impart knowledge that our manuals did not emphasize, but it kept us safe and out of trouble. It was flying outside of standard training missions that really honed our skills and made us more dangerous to the enemy. Being with the team and listening to their war stories was actually more important than thought. I absorbed other people's experiences and accounts of their mistakes like a sponge.

What was the agenda on the day of the flight in Afghanistan?

It really depended on what part of the country we were in and what phase of the war we were in. During my first deployment to Bagram, we served as a Quick Reaction Force (QRF) on twelve-hour day and twelve-hour night shifts. We had about an hour to take over the service on the shift and learn about the important events the previous shift was experiencing or was expecting. We then carried our materials to the helicopter and did a comprehensive pre-flight check on the helicopter. Then came another fleet briefing. This consisted of several details: weather, intelligence information, planned missions, convoys, the need for additional information about certain areas, and so on.

Then the four of us, the crew of the two helicopters, gave our own briefing. First, we had to decide when and where best to fly, taking into account what was said in the briefing and the priority tasks. We then flew as many flights as necessary to complete each mission. When there was an attack on the base or our own forces, we would rush to helicopters and be in the air within minutes. During the service delivery, we organized a briefing for the next shift and conveyed the information. This happened regardless of the time of day, as we operated around the clock and flew at a half-night ratio. My second deployment to Kandahar was shorter and no longer consisted of QRF shifts. Our missions were split between Crazyhorse (Team C, mine) and Blackjack (Team B). This way we had helicopters in the air almost all the time and could respond to everything quickly and as needed. Other than this difference, the turnover in service in Kandahar was largely the same.

Who decided who would fly in which seat for the given mission?

The staff decided the question of right or left seat. Typically, the air mission commander (AMC - Air Mission Commander) sat in the left seat and was also in command of a pair of Kiowa aircraft. He was constantly communicating and taking notes, he couldn't really drive the machine. In the other helicopter, pilot preference was the basis, but when it came to a mission where experience was important, it was decided who would sit where.

Apart from the standard equipment, what additional equipment did you fly with in Kiowa?

In addition to the mandatory equipment, each pilot prepares the rest himself. I had my M4 carbine, M9 pistol, ballistic vest, camera, binoculars and night vision goggles (NVG). I was carrying three spare magazines for the carbine and the gun in my ballistic vest. I placed my survival knife and harness cutting tool within easy reach. In addition to medical equipment and tourniquets, the vest also includes beacons, flares, personal GPS, fire starters, walkie-talkies, etc. It had additional pockets that contained survival equipment such as: In case we have to make a crash landing and have to hide and run. I also ate dry food and a small snack in case an assignment took too long and I missed a meal, which happened quite often. I also had a small Go-Bag that I tucked into the space behind my head and could access in case of an emergency landing. This includes additional water, food, spare parts, M4 magazines, etc. is included. We mainly used GPS for aerial navigation, but we also had an old, marked and worn map.

The shield, which I used to call the "Vader mask", was designed to prevent the pilot's face from hitting the helicopter controls during a crash. The mask not only kept wind howls away from the microphone, but also served to protect the pilot's chin during an emergency landing. This mask is most beneficial for the safety of crew chiefs traveling behind UH-60 Black Hawks and CH-47 Chinooks.

What decided where a pair of OH-58Ds would fly that day?

Sometimes they designated a specific area or gave us pre-planned tasks, sometimes we looked for "work" independently. More than half of my first one-year assignment was spent on independent assignments. Most of the time they didn't even know we were flying or were anywhere on base. Unless a specific mission is truly needed, I find flying independently produces the best results. On my second deployment our missions were much more organized and we had no influence over them. Things went wrong many times and it got worse when our own management was replaced by micromanagement and mismanagement.

How was the mission divided between the duo's two helicopters?

Usually the leader would search and if he found something he would "take care of the problem" and the escort would follow and protect the leader. The leader helicopter was talking to whoever we were supporting on the ground, and the escort helicopter protecting the leader helicopter was talking to the top commanders of the land forces and us. We were able to easily take over each other's roles and move back and forth frequently as needed.

Was reconnaissance or direct air support a more common mission?

We mostly flew convoys and foot patrols, supporting and providing protection, surveying the area and patrolling a specific route. We also escorted UH-60 Black Hawks or CH-47 Chinooks and secured landing zones. Of course there was also direct air support (CAS - Close Air Support), but unfortunately as time progressed the rules of engagement became increasingly stringent, limiting our options further and further.

In the photo below, in the cockpit of the OH-58D; A chin-face protector that can be attached to flight helmets as an additional safety measure for those who want it is visible.

The photo above shows a convoy escorted by OH-58Ds.

However, we were extremely flexible and able to step in immediately when necessary. In my opinion, the large capability of a pair of Kiowa helicopters called the Scout Weapon Team (SWT) was our greatest strength and advantage. If we were somewhere outside and the radio announced "Troops in Contact" (TIC - Troops in Contact), we would immediately go to the combat zone. Direct air support always took priority over reconnaissance when necessary.

What rules had to be taken into account before engaging in combat?

The details of this are probably still secret. Fundamentally and obviously we did not want to endanger or cause unnecessary harm to civilians (non-combatants). At the same time, someone had to authorize the combat mission in question, that is, agree to take responsibility for that authority and accept the consequences if something went wrong. Unfortunately, we have had to endure an increasing number of officers whose careers are more important than the subordinates under their command or serving alongside them.

How often was it necessary to use weapons?

Not as often as you think. When I talk to Iraq veterans, I believe they use their weapons much more than we did in Afghanistan. One of the reasons was that we had to face stricter rules of engagement. We could have attacked the enemy further if our military leaders had not become increasingly passive and risk averse.

From the air, he saw a clash between his forces and the enemy at close range. What were your thoughts then?

It made me extremely angry and protective. We were ready to do whatever was necessary to protect the soldiers entrusted to us. When we couldn't protect and support them the way we wanted and should have, it felt like my heart was ripped out. If I were to describe how we protect the ground forces, I would say it is like how a mother bear takes care of her cubs. You can't have fun with a mama bear!

How often have you worked with forward air traffic controllers?

Not as often as I had previously imagined. Most of the time, we have simply communicated with an Earth being through their own internal frequency as we follow and work with them closely. While flying in the Tagab Valley we did a lot of work with the French JTAC (Joint Forward Air Controller) or what I think is the French version of the JTAC. I'm not exactly sure, but I think most of the special operations forces we worked with (American or not) had someone trained to communicate with aircraft.

How long can the OH-58D stay in a certain area?

It depended on how heavy the helicopter was, how aggressive and fast we were flying, and also the weather. Usually more than two hours. Apart from the main base where we were deployed in Afghanistan, there were Forward Armament and Refueling Points (FARP) almost everywhere. Many were remote outposts or small bases. Because of the embankment, it only made sense to fly back to our main air bases if we were nearby, but not at any cost.

How fast was the service at FARP?

Too fast. When we radioed them in advance and said it was urgent, they ran to the helicopter as soon as the sleds hit the ground. One soldier attached his ammunition belt to the machine gun, others loaded unguided rockets into the container, and another soldier fueled the plane with the engine running at 100 percent. Kiowa could only hold three hundred kilograms of fuel. A hard-working and motivated FARP team carried out the maintenance of the helicopter very quickly.

What impact did the high temperature and above sea level environment have on the Kiowa?

He made us work! All helicopters are negatively affected by high altitude and high temperature. Our problem, in the Kiowa case, was that we already had to work within a narrow framework. The high altitude and temperature limited our work so much that we constantly had to choose between more fuel and more ammunition.

What was the reason for sometimes flying a pair of OH-58/AH-64 Apaches instead of two OH-58Ds? Firepower?

Partially yes. However, both helicopters had a number of strengths and weaknesses relative to each other. The Apache is like a flying main battle tank that can carry several times the ammunition of the Kiowa. Its optical sensors are better and its under-nose machine gun is extremely accurate and powerful. Additionally, since the AH-64 carried more fuel, it could stay in an area longer. The OH-58D, on the other hand, could "see" the world around it much better than the AH-64 and could therefore fly safely at much lower altitudes. We could use our OH-58D eyes and use the handheld digital camera and binoculars to see things that an AH-64 or even an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) could not possibly see. The OH-58D was much less prone to technical failure than the AH-64.

The AH-64 had the technological advantage, we OH-58D had the human advantage. Just like a police officer knows the area and sees what is normal and what is not, we were able to develop this feeling. We OH-58Ds were fighters and AH-64s were killers, hence the name OH-58D / AH-64 pair. Hunter/Killer Duo or Team. Officially they were called the Pink Team. As for the enemy, the OH-58D/AH-64 pair they were pursuing was their biggest threat imaginable. This coding came from the Vietnam War. OH-6s and AH-1s formed a pair called the pink pair. According to the color code system, target search-reconnaissance helicopters were white and combat helicopters were red, so the mixture of these two helicopters and their color codes gave the pink code. If two gunships flew a single scout the code was purple.

What were your duties after each flight?

We always had to give a briefing after the flight. What did we see, what did we do? Was there a conflict? did we get shot? Was something destroyed? or was someone killed? hostile or suspicious movements of people or equipment, etc. Since we are the eyes of the battlefield, everything we write and the coordinates we obtain are analyzed and taken into account. After the official fleet briefing, our team made its own assessment. Every pilot in the group of four analyzed everything honestly and critically; how we flew and collected information, how we communicated, how we filmed, etc. in a way that forces us to examine our performance openly and honestly. Three categories of answers were acceptable: Tell us what we did well, what we did wrong, and how we can improve on our mistakes.

Frankly, the greatest satisfaction came from the successful support of the ground units. What was the most annoying thing?

This is true. Our biggest frustrations, and by the plural I mean almost every soldier I talked to or knew, was that risk aversion and restrictions on the rules of engagement resulted in real casualties that we knew could have been near misses or worse. Risk avoided. Even today, when I think about it, I visibly blush and shake with anger. The coffins of many American and coalition soldiers remain on the ground, the result of more than two decades of deteriorating policies and bad decisions made when they shouldn't have been there. Just look at how disastrous the US evacuation from Afghanistan was and then ask anyone who served there if they were surprised. I'm sure you'll say no. That might say something.

How would you describe the difference between the deployment in Bagram and Kandahar?

I found the northeastern Afghanistan region very beautiful and enjoyed flying there; Except the people there are trying to kill me day and night. Kandahar, on the other hand, is a terrible place all year round, it looks and smells like a cross between Las Vegas and Mars, and there are a million black flies there. Our operation during my assignment in 2010 was also very different compared to 2013. As the war dragged on, we faced greater control and increasing restrictions. I always remember my first mission having many great flights with great people. There were far fewer of these on my second deployment. I've been hearing ridiculously ridiculous stories lately from friends who were deployed during COVID, so I feel lucky I wasn't there!

The photo below shows AH-64 Apache and OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopters

The photo above shows a view around Kandahar

What do you think of the supported Afghan military and police forces?

To put it diplomatically: I'm not very impressed. Okay, I'll be open and honest. Many of them seemed extremely lazy and undisciplined. Others were clearly worthless. Except for a small group of special operations soldiers and translators, none of them could truly be trusted. Even then, those who served with them had to remain careful and alert. Insider attacks were not uncommon; It happened very quickly and unexpectedly. To be fair, I knew there were soldiers in the Afghan ranks fighting to stabilize and rebuild their country. They believed in the cause and were ready to die for it. Other Afghan soldiers simply ran away from the possibility of danger. My understanding is that widespread corruption and tribal alliances in Afghanistan have made it nearly impossible to have a unified and effective military. The only reason they survived this long was because we held their hands, financed them, trained them, equipped them and supported them at every level.

What do you think of the rebels as warriors?

I can't say they all are like that because it depends on who is fighting and why. I'll start with the general "Afghan Insurgent" and here I mean the actual Afghan citizen because most of them were of tribal origin and didn't seem to know Afghanistan, but that's another topic. This person chose to take up arms against the government and its army that was imposed on him, so I understand them. They were my enemies and tried to kill me, but they were warriors who did what they thought was right. The United States was born out of rebellion against the British crown, and we had to go to war with them twice. If those settlers had not taken up arms against what they considered an unjust government and occupation, my country would not exist. Despite our best "nation-building" efforts, most Afghans viewed us and other NATO forces as occupiers, so I understand why we were generally unpopular.

Let's also talk about why we were there in the first place: The warriors who stayed and trained within the borders of Afghanistan waged an unjust "Holy War". In my opinion, "Holy Warriors" is nothing but vile trash. There were Afghans among them, but most of them came from different parts of the world to fight against us. They were not interested in Afghanistan. Their view of Afghanistan was only that those who did not interpret the Quran as they did and did not adhere to it would be subjugated and killed. These animals have inflicted and continue to inflict indescribable horror, torture and harassment on everyone they can, especially women and children. I will never accept these worst kind of vile creatures becoming warriors. To support my point, I highly recommend reading Sean Parnell's excellent book, Outlaw Platoon, to get a true picture of what our soldiers experience in the field, especially when dealing with this type of scum.

How did army morale change as the conflict in Afghanistan progressed?

I think the most disappointing part is the question that can never be answered: "Why are we here?" was the question. After the Taliban was removed from power, Bin Laden was killed, and Al Qaeda was largely eliminated, it became clear that we were not doing that. The only reason we stayed this long was because the Afghan government and military were so incompetent and corrupt, and I firmly believe that no one in the US government or military wanted to take responsibility for the collapse of this place. After we left. Didn't it really collapse as spectacularly as many predicted? I believe the long-foreseeable inevitability of this outcome contributed to low morale and the promotion of increasingly less effective and weak leaders as smart leaders moved out of the ranks. The System The U.S. military continues to suffer from low morale because outside political, progressive, and social justice battles have infiltrated the ranks of an organization that is supposed to be apolitical and battle-ready. Like when Navy SEALs were almost forced to change their beliefs to include more acceptable and inclusive pronouns. It took a president to step in to block these changes. We just lost our way.

How did your personal feelings change during the months you spent in the war?

As my eyes were opened to reality through accumulated experiences, I hardened emotionally and began to think more critically and analytically than ever before. I no longer blindly trusted anything and anyone. I'm very proud that there aren't too many people in the OH-58D community who "just follow orders." Compared to many of our military counterparts, our community asked for a lot of additional information, discussion, and verification before truly coming to a conclusion. You cannot answer any question, even if it is met with great hostility or anger.

In your experience, how much did the American public think about the war in Afghanistan?

It was hard to know and accept how little support we actually had when the war was going on and the jaded media still wasn't reporting much about the facts or anything. The average citizen's daily life was not affected by the war in Afghanistan or Iraq. I don't mean that they don't take care of themselves, because it is a fact that these wars are not dealt with on a daily basis like the previous ones. Unless someone had a friend or family member serving, they didn't seem to think about the war unless asked. Most of them could not fully articulate what our purpose was other than revenge for September 11, 2001. When I show people pictures of Afghanistan most people are shocked and think we are in a desert and have no idea where it is on the map. People don't believe me at first when I say Afghanistan shares a border with China. With all this, I even think that the Americans and the people of other NATO countries with whom we are mostly fighting do not understand everything.

What was it like to reintegrate into peacetime home operations?

It's a little difficult. After serving in Afghanistan, I became disillusioned with peacetime military life. The formalities, the formation, and what we call "drills and ceremonies" were not things I personally enjoyed and I almost despised them. Peaceful military life was also full of waste, mundane tasks and fancy jobs invented by officers and civilians. To show how good a leader the petty officers are, these people can write down in the annual reports of the officers or petty officers how many tasks their subordinates have completed. These are basically annual military evaluation reports used for military progress and competition. For promotion. This became increasingly difficult for me to witness and experience, and increasingly difficult to accept. Safety, resilience, suicide prevention, rape and sexual harassment, workplace etiquette, racial and religious bias, etc. We were inundated with PowerPoint presentations on topics. But I also discovered the positive aspects of returning home from a war zone. Simple things like the sound of the wind in the trees, the chirping of birds, personal freedom, human love, true relaxation of body and mind and hundreds of other emotions and feelings I still notice and appreciate them, now much better than before.

Pictured below are Lieutenant Ryan Robicheaux (right) and Brian Fullen together in the cramped cabin of the OH-58D

Photo above: the moment of returning to the ground after the last combat mission

How have budget cuts affected the daily life of your unit?

Our flying hours and therefore our capabilities have also been greatly reduced. In fact, we were exempt if the flight duration fell below seventy hours within six months. A simple memorandum can delete or change almost any regulation or rule, no matter how necessary or important. There were times when we had to bring our own toilet paper from home. In another case, the payment did not arrive on time. American soldiers on active duty did not get their money! Units set up relief funds to help each other get things done. There was a time when we were only given pink printer paper, so we always had everything important printed on this pink paper so that a supervisor would get angry if they saw this.

Why did you decide to leave the army?

I served twelve years and felt that was enough. But I'd be lying if I didn't admit there was more to it than that. The sad truth is, I'm starting to get frustrated. I think the misdirection of our military (the increasing failure of our leadership and our declining ability to care for our soldiers) has also led to the cessation of conflict. The military is no different than many other employers right now. They're having a hard time hiring, and it's even harder to keep up with attrition.

How did the Kiowa community experience the blizzard's retreat in 2017?

The news that Kiowa will be discontinued without a direct upgrade type is extremely sad and disappointing. The plan to replace it (the AH-64 and the drone working together) was laughable to anyone who knew how we worked and how valuable the OH-58D was on the battlefield. Many OH-58D pilots were discharged from the military because there was no room to fly AH-64s, CH-47s or UH-60s in other units at the time. Some went to a different type or UAV, but a lot of experience and talent was wasted. I understand that the military is currently experiencing a shortage of pilots and cannot keep most of them beyond their initial contracts. The newest solution was to sign longer contracts. It didn't quite fit. Not doing more to keep veteran Kiowa pilots in the military was a huge mistake. Fortunately, most of the crew had the opportunity to retrain for another species.

Have you ever considered continuing to fly with another agency, the Coast Guard, the police, or a news agency helicopter?

The Coast Guard came to mind as an option, but the lure of airline fare and lifestyle overpowered my desire to go elsewhere. Every now and then I get the crazy idea to fly a helicopter again (Why wouldn't I? It's so much fun!), but for now it's just a dream. I'm where I am and life isn't that bad. Since I only travel during the day, I can go home every night and never have to sleep in a hotel. I'm not ready for anything or anyone, and no one is trying to kill me. I really have no reason to complain on that front.

How was the transition to airline life?

The first transition was interesting and quite difficult, I moved from helicopter to aircraft and a different type of flying mission that comes with it. I was not there due to frequent and long absences. Fortunately, I got out of regional airlines and now fly Airbus with Allegiant Air. I now spend much more time at home than I have the opportunity. Seeing my child grow and being an active part of it means more to me than anything in the world. Sometimes I miss the action, I still think about my days as a Kiowa pilot, I vividly remember the intense situations we fought in. Then I take a sip of my coffee and look out the window at the clouds three thousand meters high and my country below me; I am happy to have survived everything and to spend the rest of my days in peace.

Note: The original version of this article; It was published in two parts in the July and September 2023 issues of Aeromagazin Magazine.