Black Helicopters

[IndyDave1776]

Pretty soon spruce trees will be outlawed!!

Don't say that too loud. You will give them ideas!

 

[Blackhawk2001]

I have been told that the color of Blue Spruce tress show up very similar to the color of the dreaded "Mary Jane wacky weed plant" on the equipment used for spotting it from the air.

They look very similar to the Mark I eyeball as well. Some years back when I was doing "counter drug operations" we thought we'd hit the "mother lode" - but it turned out to be a blue spruce nursery. I didn't fly counter drugs much, so never developed the visual spotting proficiency as well as some of the other pilots who did it more, but, yeah, marijuana has a distinctive color difference from other vegetation, when viewed from the air - which is why it's still being hunted from the air. (Besides, it's FLIGHT TIME!!!!)

 

[Blackhawk2001]

The surprise is quite reasonable. Although there is indeed a National Guard base there, they haven't had aircraft on inventory for several years, just simulators (which leads me to wonder if that translates into a facility for controlling drones).

You have it. They lost their F-16s and have become an unmanned recon vehicle Wing.

 

[remauto1187]

The surprise is quite reasonable. Although there is indeed a National Guard base there, they haven't had aircraft on inventory for several years, just simulators (which leads me to wonder if that translates into a facility for controlling drones).

Officer's (even from other branches) goto other bases to have "meetings" all the time. Its a great excuse for them to get flight time for their logs in case they are lacking for the month/year. They have to have so much flight time logged to maintain their pilot status for any given aircraft frame.

 

[Justin Case]

Blackhawk Helicopter Lands in Ellettsville Woman's Backyard.

Black Hawk lands near woman's backyard

 

[rambone]

Blackhawk Helicopter Lands in Ellettsville Woman's Backyard.

Black Hawk lands near woman's backyard

That's great how the National Guard is participating in the War on Drugs. Maybe the Air Force could help too. Perfect.

 

[Blackhawk2001]

That's great how the National Guard is participating in the War on Drugs. Maybe the Air Force could help too. Perfect.

The National Guard on State Active Duty is not subject to Posse Comitatus, but it's the State Police or local LEOs doing the "law enforcement" stuff; the crews are just flying around where directed.

Of course, all you have to do is get marijuana declared a legal drug and LEOs will stop looking and the Guard won't get as many flight hours. Up to you.

 

[rambone]

Perfect.

 

[Dybber]

I think they did the same thing in LA and/or Chicago not long ago.

 

[spearheadersarge]

Most pilots jump at the chance for "air" time no matter the mission. They have to maintain so many hours for their proficiency ratings and to keep their specialty pay. Cooperation with FED/Sate/local LEO is always a PR plus as well.