Or just go work with them.

 

Never seen that before, very cool!

 

You should see and hear it firsthand. In addition to the sound of the helo, it sounds like the blades are going to shear off. Pretty exciting the first few times you experience it.

 

Does this only happen in desert environments? Because there's a marine corps base like 1.5 miles from my home where they often have a few Chinooks buzzing around so perhaps I could check it out at night.

 

It's not necessarily deserts. It's just where there is a buildup of static in the air. It's even wilder to see when you're riding inside.

 

To my recollection, I have seen it occur in every environment I have been in; desert, jungle, etc. Most of the time, after exiting the helo, I was in the prone facing outboard. The helicopters you see by your house are most likely CH-46's (what the USMC uses), while Chinooks are the CH-47 (what the Army uses). They look very similar, so it is pretty easy to get them confused. If you see one landing or doing touch/gos (and you have a good set of binos), you should be able to see it.

 

Agreed. There is nothing like being inside. Well, except going out of the hellhole. Damn, I miss helos...

 

I know the difference between a Sea Knight and a Chinook, I'm actually located in Holland so it's the Dutch Marine Corps I'm referring too. Over here the marines either use Chinooks or Pumas from the air force or navy birds (Lynx).

 

The guys are right, in any enviro where the static can build up for whatever reason.

The best way to see it is when your the schlep guiding the helo in.

The "worst" way to see it is if that SOB is coming in an there is no illumination, and he has no idea your ass is in his path! I know...

I had to un-ass a nice spot because a Huey driver at Ft. Irwin had no idea I was occupying where he wanted to be. I wasn't wearing night vision at the time, and all was blacked out... I've never moved so fast in my life!!!

 

This ship is so cool