WEBVTT 00:01.050 --> 00:03.210 - Hey hey hey, 2nd March, Colonel Latts, 00:03.210 --> 00:05.440 System Wing Commander back with another episode 00:05.440 --> 00:07.171 of "Winging it with the AWC". 00:07.171 --> 00:09.754 (upbeat music) 00:10.610 --> 00:14.050 Today I'm on the hallowed ground of HMLA-269, 00:14.050 --> 00:17.190 The Gunrunners, and this is an impressive unit 00:17.190 --> 00:18.480 down here at New River. 00:18.480 --> 00:21.430 I first ran into the Gunrunners when I was a FAC 00:21.430 --> 00:24.300 back in 2000, and they had my back. 00:24.300 --> 00:27.300 And I got their commanding officer here, Johnny Short. 00:27.300 --> 00:28.860 Johnny, what are we gonna do today? 00:28.860 --> 00:30.090 - Sir, we're gonna take a flight 00:30.090 --> 00:31.963 in the AH-1 Zulu attack helicopter. 00:32.810 --> 00:36.140 - AH-1 Zulu, that's different than it used to be called, 00:36.140 --> 00:36.973 what is that? 00:36.973 --> 00:39.390 - Yes sir, the AH-1Z is the last and the final upgrade 00:39.390 --> 00:41.570 in the cobra attack helicopter family, 00:41.570 --> 00:44.430 and it marks the distinct increased lethality 00:44.430 --> 00:46.440 and precision for the Marine Corps. 00:46.440 --> 00:50.120 - I cannot wait to showcase the unbelievable professionalism 00:50.120 --> 00:53.410 of this unit, their crew and their amazing new equipment 00:53.410 --> 00:55.540 called the AH-1 Zulu. 00:55.540 --> 00:57.449 Johnny, let's go do it. 00:57.449 --> 00:58.405 - Yes, sir. 00:58.405 --> 01:00.930 (upbeat music) 01:00.930 --> 01:02.210 So sir I think before we go fly 01:02.210 --> 01:03.330 we probably ought to head over to the simulator 01:03.330 --> 01:04.630 and give you an opportunity to fly in the simulator 01:04.630 --> 01:05.670 a little bit. 01:05.670 --> 01:07.313 - You don't trust me, Johnny? 01:07.313 --> 01:08.686 - I absolutely trust you, sir, 01:08.686 --> 01:09.620 I just wanna give you every opportunity 01:09.620 --> 01:11.070 to get ready for the flight. 01:11.070 --> 01:11.930 - Good training. 01:11.930 --> 01:13.014 - Yes sir. 01:13.014 --> 01:15.060 - Let's go train. 01:15.060 --> 01:17.230 You shouldn't be filming this, I tell you right now. 01:17.230 --> 01:19.030 I can't figure out how to get in it! 01:20.105 --> 01:22.530 (upbeat music) 01:22.530 --> 01:25.226 You gotta do your yoga before you do this, 01:25.226 --> 01:27.233 how you gonna get out of it? 01:28.400 --> 01:30.000 I can land on a carrier tonight. 01:31.905 --> 01:33.099 - [Lt. Col. Short] probably not, sir. 01:33.099 --> 01:34.140 (laugh) 01:34.140 --> 01:35.590 you get all the credit in the world for that one, sir. 01:35.590 --> 01:36.423 - You know it's funny, 01:36.423 --> 01:38.207 I'm sitting here going where are the breaks. 01:38.207 --> 01:39.040 (laughing) 01:39.040 --> 01:41.252 then I realize, oh there is no breaks. 01:41.252 --> 01:43.919 (dynamic music) 01:45.440 --> 01:46.273 - Well we ready? 01:46.273 --> 01:47.106 - Ready, sir 01:47.106 --> 01:48.843 - I am so excited to go do this thing 01:48.843 --> 01:50.310 - It's going to be great, sir. 01:50.310 --> 01:52.070 - If your airplanes are anything as good as 01:52.070 --> 01:52.903 your Marines are in there. 01:52.903 --> 01:54.250 We're going to be great. 01:54.250 --> 01:55.083 - They are, sir. 01:55.083 --> 01:59.120 - So, last chance to come up with a reason we can't go. 01:59.120 --> 01:59.953 - No reason at all, sir. 01:59.953 --> 02:00.988 - Alright, come on 02:00.988 --> 02:03.655 (dynamic music) 02:14.523 --> 02:17.523 (helicopter engine) 02:32.378 --> 02:35.740 - (intelligible) I just had the time of my life. 02:35.740 --> 02:38.280 I missed my calling it was awesome. 02:38.280 --> 02:39.553 - You did pretty well, sir. 02:39.553 --> 02:42.429 - Are you just saying that because I'm standing here? 02:42.429 --> 02:43.262 - Nope, I'm not sir, you honestly did pretty well. 02:43.262 --> 02:45.440 - I, its more about flying, 02:45.440 --> 02:46.850 and what I learned out there today 02:46.850 --> 02:48.840 is how lethal that airplane was. 02:48.840 --> 02:50.650 It's got the systems the technology 02:50.650 --> 02:54.260 situational awareness and weaponry, 02:54.260 --> 02:56.100 and crew coordination capability 02:56.100 --> 02:59.620 to just bring death and destruction on the enemy. 02:59.620 --> 03:01.360 I knew that in a Hornet, I felt like 03:01.360 --> 03:04.010 I was in a Hornet in there with the technology. 03:04.010 --> 03:05.660 But the difference is you're doing it 03:05.660 --> 03:06.779 so close to the target you can see the whites 03:06.779 --> 03:07.612 of their eyes. 03:07.612 --> 03:08.445 - Yes sir. 03:08.445 --> 03:10.170 - It was eye opening for me, 03:10.170 --> 03:12.490 how crucial this platform is to the Marine Corps. 03:12.490 --> 03:14.210 Your Marines are awesome. 03:14.210 --> 03:15.270 Your equipments amazing. 03:15.270 --> 03:16.500 You got all your airplanes now right. 03:16.500 --> 03:17.724 - Yes sir. 03:17.724 --> 03:20.123 - HMLA-269 Gunrunners, check it out.