Senior aviator takes final flight

By Sgt. George Welcome, 101st CAB Public AffairsSeptember 2, 2009

Getting a wash
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Greetings
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Chief Warrant Brent Driggers is met at his aircraft by Sgt. 1st Class Vincente Pereira, 5th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade. Driggers, who is one of the Army's most senior aviators, conducted his final flight at Fort... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Many thanks
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FORT CAMPBELL- Soldiers of 5th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, and friends of the aviation community here gathered under a brilliant blue sky at Campbell Army Airfield Aug. 31 to honor the career of one of the Army's most senior aviators.

Chief Warrant Brent Driggers, who has an extensive history with both the 101st and 159th Combat Aviation Brigades, conducted his final flight as an Army aviator.

As he landed his UH-60 Black Hawk for the final time, Driggers, who has been an Army pilot since 1981, taxied through an arch of water, produced by two fire engines. Moving through the water arch is an aviation tradition, symbolizing a pilot's final successful flight.

Upon powering down the helicopter and exiting, Driggers was greeted by fellow aviators, and then sprayed with bottles of ceremonial champagne. After a few congratulatory hugs and handshakes, Driggers addressed those who came out to witness the event.

"I started flying in 5th Battalion back when it was the old 158th Black Widows," Driggers explained to the crowd of Soldiers who had gathered around him and his aircraft. "I learned how to be an aviator here in 5th Battalion, I had some great Americans teach me how to do the job and you guys are carrying on that tradition."

Back in 1981 while attending flight school at Fort Rucker, Driggers learned the basic concepts of rotary wing flight in the cockpit of the TH-55 Osage. Looking back, he claims that he didn't know he would have such longevity in the field.

"I didn't have any clue that I would still be flying after all this time," said Driggers. "For me, the best part of being an aviator was having the chance to work with all the people who are associated with aviation, and our great Army."

Driggers was involved in numerous training exercises and on many deployments during his illustrious aviation career, they include; Operation Bright Star in 1983, Operations Desert Storm and Desert Shield in 1990 and 1991. More recently, he has been involved in the Global War on Terror, serving in both Iraq and Afghanistan. He has also "been around the world in other areas a few times," as he put it.

While he hasn't quite decided what he would like to do next, what is certain is the impact Driggers has had in the world of Army aviation.

"Brent's been a mentor to many and an inspiration to all," said 101st CAB commander, Col. William Gayler. "All I can say is that, our nation needs more people like Brent Driggers."