I have seen some amazing stuff in my lifetime. This week has added a new experience that I will never forget. The awesome power of the US Marine Corps was put on display in a humbling fashion. Major Bret Morriss, USMC, called to let us know he was in town and to get his drink ready by the pool. He would be arriving at 3:00PM. Sure enough the proud family was there waiting to welcome him and relax by the pool. A faint sound was heard. It was unmistakable for the sound UH-1 Huey in the distance. I jokingly said, “There’s Bret”. They were headed our way.
The sight of a UH-1 Huey and 3 Cobras flying in formation just above the house gave me a sense of pride in not only Major Morriss, the Marine Corps, but in our Armed Forces and this country as a whole. We at times lose sight of the amazing things this country and its people have done. The veterans that have fought to preserve our freedoms and the soldiers that continue to stand watch. I count myself lucky to be reminded of the awesome power we possess. I feel safe knowing that it is in the hands of our nephew.
Bell AH-1 Cobra
The Bell AH-1 Cobra was first introduced in 1967. The AH-1 continues to be in service with the US military, by the US Marine Corps, which operate the twin-engine AH-1W SuperCobra and AH-1Z Viper. This is better known as the Zulu, from its variant letter
Performance
Maximum speed: 149 knots (172 mph, 277 km/h)
Range: 274 nmi (315 mi, 510 km)
Service ceiling: 12,200 ft (3,720 m)
Rate of climb: 1,620 ft/min (8.2 m/s)
Armament
General Dynamics 20 mm (0.787 in) M197 3-barreled Gatling cannon
Hydra 70 2.75 in (70 mm) rockets
– 7 rockets mounted in the M260 launcher or 19 rockets in the M261 launcher
TOW Missiles – 4 or 8 missiles mounted in two-missile launchers
Bell UH-1Y Venom
The Bell UH-1Y Venom (also called Super Huey) is a twin-engine, medium-sized utility helicopter, built by Bell Helicopter under the H-1 upgrade program of the United States Marine Corps. One of the latest members of the numerous Huey family, the UH-1Y is called also Yankee, from its variant letter. These have been in production since 2005.
Performance
Maximum speed: 164 knots (189 mph, 304 km/h) for 30 minutes
Cruise speed: 158 kt, 182 mph, 293 km/h (long range cruise (LRC): 135 kn, 155 mph, 250 km/h)
Combat radius: 130 nmi (150 mi, 241 km) with 2,182 lb, 990 kg payload
Service ceiling: 20,000+ ft (6,100+ m)
Rate of climb: 2,520 ft/min (12.8 m/s)
Armament
2 external stations for 70 mm (2.75 in) Hydra 70 or APKWS II[35] rockets
2 pintle mounts for 7.62×51 mm M240D machine guns, .50 in (12.7 mm) GAU-16/A machine guns, or 7.62×51 mm NATO GAU-17/A Gatling guns