HANGAR TALK


recipient of the Air Medal for actions depicted in the painting. The painting pays tribute to Marine


Bell Helicopter Honors H1 “Yankees and Zulus” in the Second of the “Heroes of Aviation” Series


Bell Helicopter recently announced


American Heroes Air Show Coming to Los Angeles & Seattle


Established in Los Angeles in 1992,


the American Heroes Air Show began as a grass­roots community effort to celebrate the dynamic role of helicop­ ters in law enforcement, fire service, search and rescue, homeland security, communications and national defense. Today, this non­profit event is offered in several major U.S. cities, enabling spectators from coast­to­coast the rare opportunity to view advanced military and civilian helicopters and meet the pilots who fly them. The American Heroes Air Show fea­


tures non­stop aerial demonstrations and excitement, including: • Helicopter displays, flyovers and tactical demonstrations


• Interactive exhibits and hands­on family activities


• Public safety and emergency pre­ paredness displays


• Helicopter rides • Live local entertainment • Public safety career fair • Concessions Plus, our helicopter­only theme


allows us to reach the heart of the com­ munity by staging events at urban parks and recreation centers rather than at less accessible airport locations. The American Heroes Air Show attracts more than 150,000 spectators nation­ wide. American Heroes Aviation Network, Inc. is a non­profit 501(c)3 organization. See the show in Los Angeles on


Saturday, June 30, 2012 at the Hansen Dam Sports Complex, or in Seattle on July 14th. 


10 June 2012 The painting was unveiled at the Bell


Helicopter exhibit during the annual Marine Corps Aviation Association (MCAA) 2012 Symposium and Reunion and the Marine Aviation Centennial Celebration at the Gaylord National Hotel, National Harbor, Md., by John Garrison. The portrait will reside within the 3D Marine Aircraft Wing (3d MAW), headquartered in San Diego, Calif. Receiving the painting in Washington D.C. was Major General Andrew W. O'Donnell, JR., Commanding General of 3d MAW and Capt. Casey Blasingame, UH­1Y Yankee helicopter pilot, and the


the second of the Bell Helicopter "Heroes of Aviation" Series which pays tribute to the men and women who preserve freedom and save lives while using Bell Helicopters. "On behalf of the 11,000 men and


women of Bell Helicopter, I am proud to dedicate this painting of our 'heroes of aviation' to the Marines," said John L. Garrison, CEO and president of Bell Helicopter. "You may refuse to think of yourself as a hero ­ but I think the Marines you helped save in Afghanistan might disagree."


Capt. Casey "Porch" Blasingame and his unit who were called to help rescue a group of U.S. Marines pinned down by the Taliban in Afghanistan in November 2010. Marines on the ground were returning to their patrol base carrying two casualties when they were ambushed by the enemy. Capt. Blasingame and his group


made several gun runs, engaging the enemy at close range and causing the enemy fire to cease. This brief cessation of fire allowed the two patrols to quick­ ly maneuver out of harm's way and con­ tinue the evacuation of the wounded. The helicopters remained overhead providing watch for the movement as the patrol returned to their base. The Marine Corps post­mission assessment reports described the engagement as "pure chaos on the ground" and something you would "only see in movies." These reports highlighted the heroic efforts of Capt. Blasingame and aircrews of HMLA­ 169 in support of their patrol and ground forces. Capt. Blasingame's unit provid­ ed tactical air strikes that facilitated increased freedom of movement for Marines on the ground and aided in the destruction or neutralization of many Taliban fighters. "I am humbled and touched by the


attention that I have been given, "said Capt. Casey Blasingame. "This honor rightfully belongs to the Marines who were on the ground that day in Afghanistan and to the crews who work tirelessly in the air and behind the scenes. It is a total Marine effort from aviators, to maintainers, to supply and with our industry partners; everyone is part of this team." The first Bell Helicopter Heroes of


Aviation painting was of an OH­58 "Kiowa Warrior." It was unveiled at a ceremony at the April 2011 Army Aviation Association of America (AAAA) professional forum and exposition, held in Nashville, Tenn. Both works of art were painted by world renowned combat artist, Patrick Haskett. 


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