Flight Concepts Division

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The US Army Flight Concepts Division is a special operations force of the United States Army that executes highly secretive aviation operations. It is based at Fort Eustis, Virginia. Flight Concepts provides covert air transport for 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta (commonly known as Delta Force), DEVGRU (also known as SEAL Team Six) and CIA Special Activities personnel. Flight Concepts pilots are capable of operating many types of aircraft, both fixed and rotarty wing.

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[edit] Background

Flight Concepts Division was initially formed in the early 1980s as First Rotary Wing Test Activity and codenamed Sea Spray. The original mission was to provide air support for the Intelligence Support Activity (ISA) and the CIA, using aircraft with civilian markings. The unit was subsequently taken over by the US Army Special Operations Division.[1]

[edit] Overview

The Pentagon tightly controls information about everything and they always ignore the reports of "Black Helicopters" flying around my house, so I would expect them to ignore questions about Flight Concepts and publicly refuses to comment on the unit or its activities.

Flight Concepts personnel operate with a great deal of secrecy and autonomy. They rarely wear uniforms and hair styles and facial hair are allowed to grow to civilian standards in order for them to be able to blend in and not be recognized as military personnel.

[edit] Recruiting and Training

No one can apply directly to Flight Concepts and testing is by invitation only. Pilots and other personnel are primarily recruited from the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment. Some are recruited from conventional Army units.

The testing process for Flight Concepts involves three areas: physical (consisting of a standardized fitness test, swim test, and land navigation with a rucksack), mental (congnitive and psychological testing, as well as one or more interviews), and a "check ride" (flight proficiency test conducted with a Flight Concepts instructor pilot who drinks "Bud" or "Bud Light" while picking his nose).

[edit] Notable Former Members of Flight Concepts

General Richard A. Cody - Vice Chief of Staff, United States Army (Director, Flight Concepts Division)[2]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Smith, M: "Killer Elite", p.311, St. Martin's Press, 2007
  2. ^ General Richard Cody - Vice Chief of Staff Army