Barbara
Army Helicopter Pilot
My name is Santa Barbara Mediavilla. I am an Apache Longbow
Pilot for B CO 1/3 AVN U.S. Army at Hunter Army Airfield in
Savannah, Georgia. I have been flying for the Army for 5 years
and have loved every moment. My rank is Chief Warrant
Officer Two (CW2).
I originally enlisted in the army in 1995 as a Private and was
made a Crew Chief on the Apache. A Crew Chief organizes all
maintenance on aircraft from pre-flight, post-flight and
through-flight inspections, launches and recovers aircraft, and
on some aircraft, passengers. After 4 years I was promoted to
the Longbow as a Platoon Sergeant (E-6P) in charge of 32
soldiers, including 4 squad leaders and two section sergeants.
After 5 years of enlisted time, I was inspired to fly by with the
encouragement of my maintenance test pilot, CW4 Mark
Phillips. Mr. Phillips would always ask me if I was going to walk
the rest of my military career or try something like flying. I
would laugh and tell him I was afraid of heights, which is true
-- I am terrified.
One day he ran up the aircraft with me in the front seat. The
Apache and the Apache Longbow has no place for passengers
because it is a two seater (one pilot and one gunner) aircraft. I
was convinced that flying was something I would definitely
enjoy, just from that 2 minute run up. He helped me submit
my flight packet and a year later while I was in Korea, I found
out I was accepted. It was a long process because my packet
was denied two other times but well worth the trouble.
My 11 years in the military has been all about aviation. I have
been to Fort Hood, Texas, as a Crew Chief; Camp Eagle,
Korea, as Platoon Sergeant of a Maintenance Platoon; Fort
Rucker, Alabama, to go to Flight School; Fort Hood, Texas, as
an Apache Longbow Pilot; Illesheim, Germany, as an Apache
Longbow Pilot; Hunter Army Airfield (HAAF), Georgia, as an
Apache Longbow Pilot, and have been deployed to Bagram,
Afghanistan.
Aviation has been great even though I'm usually the only
female in every company I have been in. Many guys didn't
think that I had what it took to be an Apache Longbow Pilot
but those were the guys who chose to fly Blackhawks or
Chinooks (Utility Helicopters) so they could try to avoid combat.
Army Helicopter Pilot
My name is Santa Barbara Mediavilla. I am an Apache Longbow
Pilot for B CO 1/3 AVN U.S. Army at Hunter Army Airfield in
Savannah, Georgia. I have been flying for the Army for 5 years
and have loved every moment. My rank is Chief Warrant
Officer Two (CW2).
I originally enlisted in the army in 1995 as a Private and was
made a Crew Chief on the Apache. A Crew Chief organizes all
maintenance on aircraft from pre-flight, post-flight and
through-flight inspections, launches and recovers aircraft, and
on some aircraft, passengers. After 4 years I was promoted to
the Longbow as a Platoon Sergeant (E-6P) in charge of 32
soldiers, including 4 squad leaders and two section sergeants.
After 5 years of enlisted time, I was inspired to fly by with the
encouragement of my maintenance test pilot, CW4 Mark
Phillips. Mr. Phillips would always ask me if I was going to walk
the rest of my military career or try something like flying. I
would laugh and tell him I was afraid of heights, which is true
-- I am terrified.
One day he ran up the aircraft with me in the front seat. The
Apache and the Apache Longbow has no place for passengers
because it is a two seater (one pilot and one gunner) aircraft. I
was convinced that flying was something I would definitely
enjoy, just from that 2 minute run up. He helped me submit
my flight packet and a year later while I was in Korea, I found
out I was accepted. It was a long process because my packet
was denied two other times but well worth the trouble.
My 11 years in the military has been all about aviation. I have
been to Fort Hood, Texas, as a Crew Chief; Camp Eagle,
Korea, as Platoon Sergeant of a Maintenance Platoon; Fort
Rucker, Alabama, to go to Flight School; Fort Hood, Texas, as
an Apache Longbow Pilot; Illesheim, Germany, as an Apache
Longbow Pilot; Hunter Army Airfield (HAAF), Georgia, as an
Apache Longbow Pilot, and have been deployed to Bagram,
Afghanistan.
Aviation has been great even though I'm usually the only
female in every company I have been in. Many guys didn't
think that I had what it took to be an Apache Longbow Pilot
but those were the guys who chose to fly Blackhawks or
Chinooks (Utility Helicopters) so they could try to avoid combat.
Others told me that there was no such thing as a FEMALE Apache
Longbow Pilot, but they are definitely stuck in the stone ages
because there are so many of us now since the Gulf War.
The guys also said that I would freeze when it came to shooting
someone. Well, they all thought differently once my performed was
well above standard. Its always nice to do things better than the
guys. For some reason or another, the guys seem to always think
that I would do better because I am trying to prove something. Not
true at all. It is a proven fact that women are more in tune to their
surrounding and have more finesse. We are more capable of doing
many things at the same time and doing them very well. We have
more drive and determination to do things right the first time, so we
can learn more and do things better.
What I enjoy the most is shooting and providing security for any
military soldier, convoy, and military post. There is nothing like
feeling shooting the 30MM Gun, the 2.75 inch Rockets flying off the
rails and the Hellfire Missiles heading down range and knowing our
soldiers on the ground are safe. It really is an adrenaline rush
helping the ground guys. I will be in Iraq this late spring and being
part of the team on the war against terror.
On my off duty time, I ride my motorcycle (dry and warm or cool
weather required), surf (seasonal), snowboard (seasonal), run
(often), and hang out at home with my two cats (Pepper & Bandit)
and work to finish my Bachelor degree in Aeronautics at Embry Riddle
University. After I retire from the active duty military, I would like to
go to Michigan to become a schoolteacher or fly for their Search &
Rescue.
Good luck and GOD Speed!
Longbow Pilot, but they are definitely stuck in the stone ages
because there are so many of us now since the Gulf War.
The guys also said that I would freeze when it came to shooting
someone. Well, they all thought differently once my performed was
well above standard. Its always nice to do things better than the
guys. For some reason or another, the guys seem to always think
that I would do better because I am trying to prove something. Not
true at all. It is a proven fact that women are more in tune to their
surrounding and have more finesse. We are more capable of doing
many things at the same time and doing them very well. We have
more drive and determination to do things right the first time, so we
can learn more and do things better.
What I enjoy the most is shooting and providing security for any
military soldier, convoy, and military post. There is nothing like
feeling shooting the 30MM Gun, the 2.75 inch Rockets flying off the
rails and the Hellfire Missiles heading down range and knowing our
soldiers on the ground are safe. It really is an adrenaline rush
helping the ground guys. I will be in Iraq this late spring and being
part of the team on the war against terror.
On my off duty time, I ride my motorcycle (dry and warm or cool
weather required), surf (seasonal), snowboard (seasonal), run
(often), and hang out at home with my two cats (Pepper & Bandit)
and work to finish my Bachelor degree in Aeronautics at Embry Riddle
University. After I retire from the active duty military, I would like to
go to Michigan to become a schoolteacher or fly for their Search &
Rescue.
Good luck and GOD Speed!
TM
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