Son of Las Vegas man to fly helicopters for the Army

Dick Benoit

Thursday, June 24, 2004 | 9:10 a.m.

Army 1st Lt. Damion M. Calvert, the son of Michael Calvert of Las Vegas, has graduated from the Army Helicopter Flight School at Fort Rucker, Ala.

The flight school training program includes three phases designed for students to complete: the Aviator Officer Basic Course, the Initial Entry Rotary Wing Qualification and an Advanced Aircraft Qualification Course. Students learn the basics of helicopter flight, instrumentation and combat drills.

Phase I builds on the basic commissioning training and indoctrinates students into Army aviation. Phase II instructs and focuses on tactical training and education. Phase III provides the student with the necessary skills and knowledge needed to qualify in a specific type of helicopter.

Instruction includes training in the mental and physical skills required to accomplish pilot duties through instruction in aircraft systems, navigation and command instrument systems, combat skills, flight training, mission planning, safety and night vision device qualification and proficiency.

The lieutenant received a bachelor's degree in 2002 from Carson-Newman College in Jefferson City, Tenn.

Honors, promotion

The son of a Henderson man was recently recognized with honors by his unit along with a another chevron on his sleeve. Michael Hardin, son Bill Hardin of Henderson, was recently selected as senior sailor of the quarter by the Naval Computer and Telecommunications, Europe Central Detachment, London, and was promoted to petty officer 1st class.

According to detachment officials, Hardin was chosen as a top performer for the unit and cited for outstanding professional accomplishment, proficiency, leadership, initiative and military bearing. He joined the Navy in April 1998.

In brief