Captain Harry "Cargo 19" Ollmann

Canadian Forces pilot first Canadian Chinook flight instructor at U.S. Army base

When people hear the word "Chinook," many think of a warm front blowing east from the Rocky Mountains. But for Canadian Forces (CF) pilot Captain Harry Ollmann, the Chinook is anything but hot air. In fact, right now, it's a way of life.

Since July 2007, Capt. Ollmann has been posted to Fort Rucker, a U.S. Army base near Enterprise, Alabama, and has been immersed in the world of the Chinook helicopter.

While not the only CF pilot currently serving in the U.S., the Hamilton, Ont. native is one of the few working with the Chinook. He learned to fly the bird last summer and fall, the only Canadian alongside two American and one Egyptian pilot. Now fully trained, for the next two years he will pass on his knowledge to new crops of students as an instructor.

Capt. Ollmann has spent most of his career flying Twin Huey and Griffon helicopters with squadrons in Ottawa, Borden and Petawawa in Ontario, St. Hubert, Que. and Bosnia-Herzegovina. For him, the posting to Fort Rucker offered a unique and exciting opportunity.

"The Chinook is a great aircraft," says Capt. Ollmann. "It does tasks similar to what a Griffon would do, but is much more capable."

In April 2008, the Government of Canada announced it had issued a Request for Proposal to Boeing to acquire 16 medium-to-heavy lift helicopters. The process identified the CH-47 Chinook as the best aircraft to meet Canada's needs for operations at home, in Afghanistan and around the world.

To ensure that the Canadian Forces have pilots that are able to fly the new helicopters, Capt. Ollmann is helping to train other Canadian pilots at Fort Rucker.

Although days vary depending on shifts, Capt. Ollmann's day usually starts at 5 a.m. and includes a rigorous schedule of instruction and flying time, spending anywhere from three to four hours in the air with trainees.

Despite the early mornings, Capt. Ollmann says he very much enjoys his Alabama posting, as does his family. His wife and their children have all adapted to life in the U.S. His youngest daughter has even picked up a bit of an accent.

Besides the heat, Southern accents and a lack of hockey on television, he says the only noticeable difference is the tornadoes.

Written by Acting Sub-Lieutenant David Lavallee, for CanadianAlly.com