#148 Alan C. Mack - Flying Through Hell: Real Combat Stories from a Night Stalker Pilot

Alan C. Mack's trajectory from a youth fascinated by helicopter aviation to a respected Chinook pilot within the elite 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR) exemplifies dedication and skill.

Mack's interest in aviation from a young age was sparked by the Huey helicopters he saw on the news during the Vietnam War

Mack's admiration for Huey helicopters ignited during childhood as he watched them on newscasts about the Vietnam War. This early passion led him to express a desire to fly, a dream he nurtured by filling out an Army recruitment form at a young age.

As a child, Mack filled out an Army recruitment form expressing his desire to become a pilot, leading him to enlist as an aircraft mechanic to gain experience

At a young age, Mack indicated his wish to become a pilot through a recruitment form. Encouraged by a recruiter to uphold his aspiration, he initially joined the Army as an aircraft mechanic to immerse himself in aviation culture and to ease his future transition into a piloting role.

Mack's transition from aircraft mechanic to Chinook pilot, including his time at flight school and the challenges he faced

Mack's ascent to becoming a Staff Sergeant in the Army and his time stationed in West Germany provided a pivotal backdrop as he made the decision to apply for flight school.

Mack excelled at flight school, earning the top spot in his class and being selected for the prestigious Chinook helicopter

Mack's exceptional performance at flight school not only enabled him to transition from flying Hueys but also established him as the top candidate for piloting the Chinook. Originally, Mack had his sights set on what he termed "salty" work. However, instructors encouraged him to embrace the Chinook slot, and upon piloting a Chinook for the first time, he recognized the aircraft's power and speed, which altered his initial perception.

The Chinook transition training Mack underwent, including learning to master the aircraft's advanced capabilities and systems

Mack undertook a six to eight-week transition to master the Chinook, including its complex aerodynamics and distinctive systems. He developed a deep knowledge of emergency procedures and honed his skills in night flying and handling external loads. The MH special ops version of the Chinook came with specialized equipment, which demanded addition ...

Alan C. Mack, a seasoned pilot, reflects on his extensive experience flying CH-47 Chinook helicopters in pivotal military operations, from the Gulf War to the early stages of the war in Afghanistan post-9/11.

Mack's deployment to the Gulf War during Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm

Mack, who learned to fly on Hueys before transitioning to CH-47 Deltas, found himself flying Chinooks during Desert Shield and instructing on the CH-47 Delta.

Mack's involvement in the massive air assault missions during the Gulf War, utilizing the Chinook's capabilities to transport troops and equipment

During Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm, Mack took part in massive air assault missions, flying the D model Chinook, which was essential for moving artillery and supplies. Mack and his fellow pilots transported various loads, including internal ones like Humvees and externally secured tandem loads to prevent spinning. Such coordination was crucial for the successful execution of General Schwarzkopf's "left hook" maneuver, moving equipment and personnel west of Kuwait. Mack highlights an operation where he found himself in the middle of this tactic, with helicopters being given specific grid coordinates to pick up pre-arranged loads.

Mack's harrowing experiences dealing with the challenging environmental conditions, such as navigating sandstorms, while conducting missions

Mack recounts the challenges of navigating sandstorms and flying in the Saudi Arabian desert's smooth dunes, contrasting them with the training grounds of Fort Irwin, California, and the flat-ish terrain of Iraq. He shares an incident where a conventional unit flew into a sandstorm during daylight, resulting in spatial disorientation, the detachment of blades, and casualties. Mack also details the risk involved in night landings, as pilots wearing night-vision goggles could not see the second lip of sand dunes, leading to new rules to maintain a minimum flight altitude.

Mack's central role in the U.S. military's response to 9/11, including his participation in the early stages of the war in Afghanistan

After 9/11, Mack was part of a response team that went to MacDill Base in Tampa and subsequently to Afghanistan. His past experiences with night flying, air refueling, and dust landings in the Middle East made his unit adept at desert operations.

Mack's involvement in the insertion of special operations teams, such as the "horse soldiers," into Afghanistan in the aftermath of 9/11

Mack faced various technical challenges when inserting special operations teams into Afghanistan. He ...

Alan C. Mack, having faced numerous deployments, shares the profound personal and emotional impact they have had on both him and his family, revealing his struggles with his wife's addiction, the toll on his marriage, and his own psychological battles.

The toll that Mack's extensive deployments and combat missions took on his family, particularly his wife's struggle with addiction

As Mack's wife Linda grappled with a prescription opioid addiction that began during his time in Korea, her condition deteriorated with each of Mack's 17 deployments. Linda's struggles were exacerbated by a suicide attempt and the commencement of doctor shopping and self-harm through cutting. She took it personally when Mack was unable to contact her after being shot down in an effort to protect the official notification process. Over time, Linda's issues were further compounded by instances such as Mack's extended deployment known as "Bergdahl Tips the Scales."

Despite the unit's effort to provide support for Linda without informing Mack of the severity of the situation, Linda's hallucinations due to medication withdrawal and abuse, as well as multiple driving while intoxicated arrests, intensified the family struggles. Mack's marriage was strained, and eventually, he had to make the painful choice to move out as his family situation went public within his company.

Mack's sons were also deeply affected by their mother's addiction; one son joined the Navy and the other became a Chinook crew chief in the 160th. Despite numerous attempts at rehabilitation, Linda continued to relapse, and the couple's relationship became increasingly fraught as Linda's behavior spiraled out of control.

Mack's experience of the emotional and psychological impacts of his service, including dealing with trauma and grief

Mack's own experience of trauma and grief stemming from the loss of 23 friends in combat was devastating. He recounts immense psychological pressure, often resorting to alcohol to cope with the nightmares and guilt which plagued him, especially regarding a comrade, Neil Roberts.

He describes graphic and harrowing dreams where his fallen comr ...

Alan C. Mack highlights the unique environment of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, marking its sense of community, rigorous training, and commitment to member support.

The tight-knit and highly skilled community of the 160th SOAR, and Mack's role within it

Mack's relationships with his crew chiefs and the critical importance of that dynamic

Mack illustrates the critical dynamic between pilots and their crew chiefs within the 160th SOAR. He shares how he gets to know his crew chiefs well on Chinooks as they often fly together, noting the importance of clear communication during complex maneuvers. Mack recounts the deep trust and reliance on his crew chief's guidance, highlighting that a good crew chief can compensate for a pilot's lesser skills in certain maneuvers.

The 160th SOAR's commitment to providing comprehensive and realistic training to prepare its members for the rigors of combat

Mack describes the 160th's strong training component, Green Platoon, established in response to training accidents to emphasize safety and effectiveness. This specialized training is a "godsend" for integrating and upskilling new members, with all personnel undergoing integrated training exercises. He recalls "Gorst Games," an exercise simulating evasion and survival tactics, showcasing the regiment's dedication to realistic training.

The 160th SOAR's efforts to support its members and their families, even in the face of tremendous personal sacrifice

The regiment's support for Mack during the most difficult period of his marriage, including providing him with alternative roles and opportunities

Mack found tremendous support within the 160th SOAR during his wife's struggles, with the unit willingly working to accommodate his family situation. ...