David Burnett, is a Special Ops Veteran and the author of “Making of a Night Stalker”. The book provides the reader a glimpse of the unique world of the 160th Special Operations Aviation regiment. David’s journey starts in a conventional Army unit from where he pursues his dream of becoming an MH-47G Chinook helicopter crew chief, in the most secretive and elite aviation unit in the world.
After almost a year in training he is deployed with 160th, and it is nothing short of intense. His new unit’s mission is exactly what he hoped for. He continues to hone his craft over the next four years. After five deployments with the unit as a crew chief, he is discharged from the military and begins a journey into deep depression. Alcohol becomes the most important thing in his life, and David finds himself on a new and reckless battlefield against an enemy he never saw coming.
Making of a Night Stalker has been reviewed and approved by the Pentagon.
Colorado after HS went to college for aviation technology
Fixed wing pilots normal airplane Father was a fighter jet pilot in Marine uncle and cousins fly for FedEx
Peace time service = dad
He was attracted to Rotary wing = helicopter
As a child wanted to try and do something completely different
Recruiting station in college….went for the ASFB test to identify what he was good at and it said he could work on helicopters.
Signs up and he was set to take off for basic training within a month.
Fort Jackson South Carolina – Army went fort advanced individual training MOS military occupational skill
Helicoper repair SHANOOK twin engine twin rotter flying school bus – enormous
After training received his orders was with 101 in Fort Campbell Kentucky
Finds out he won’t be working on helicopters you are them deployed within 2 months of arriving.
Maintaining them in Afganistan….full blown emersion…ever 400 hours they need maintenance
choppers taking troops into and out of areas
Had door gunners
Initially did not set out to write a book – became an alcoholic was with the VA and he started writing
He had a chronical history of his experience. 6 years in the army.
In afg maintaining the helicopters…he feels unfulfilled and wants to become a night stalker, these soldiers would fly on missions – he wanted to be a crew chief…talked to leadership – she was told there were no Crew Chief slots available – his path was to apply for Special Operations Aviation regiment
Fills out application, turns it in. He is accepted after review and gets an opportunity to try out “Green Platoon” – Gets back to states 5 week physically and mentally challenging course. Learning different skills than Basic Training. Went through 5 weeks and graduated and was competent to become a Crew Chief. Alpha company = a flight company. He graduates meets new Sargent but had more things to complete, more training and skills to complete.
Passed everything – “dunker school” sinks rolls over and you have to egress
Finally flying night runs with goggles –
First deployment was 2 years into the Army – see action
SPECIAL OPERATION SHANOOK
4 years of clandestine missions
Reoccurring nightmare after service 4th or 5th deployment – 3 males by a truck AK-47s
Felt he didn’t have a purpose…tried to kill himself was an alcoholic
When he got out got married…
Would have re-enlisted if single
Wanted to try something new in civilian space
Driven by love
Now has 3 inventions for military purposes = problem solving in terms of his
special ops for Chinook helicopters named after Indian Tribes – fish
Was positive help – experienced traditional psych support went to mental health care specialist
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