COT 13-05, Golf Flight

26 Jul - Last morning at Blue Thunder and Hall Call

Friday morning we woke up early and marched back over to Blue Thunder. We saw a beautiful sunrise over the ropes course while we ate breakfast - MRE's.

The ropes course at sunrise

That afternoon when we came back to the OTS campus, we had our final hall call. We recognized Lt Yourisen, our flight officer in charge (FOIC), who has done an amazing job as our leader. Lt Webb was also recognized for his leadership role during Blue Thunder. We also were awarded Athletic Flight of the Week for the second week in a row! Capt Dunkle has been a fantastic athletic officer and has definitely pushed us all to improve our level of fitness while we've been here.

Lt Webb - recognized for his outstanding leadership this week

Capt Dunkle - proud athletic officer

Hall Call

Recognizing Lt Yourisen, our fearless leader!

25 Jul, Part 4 - The High Ropes Course

After the rock climbing wall we were off the high ropes course. There were some pretty challenging aspects to the high ropes, but it ended with a zip line - a big hit! After the high ropes, the entire class gathered underneath the large ramada for a hot dinner, which was a cheesy spaghetti bake. We scarfed it down! After dinner, we were bussed back to our dormitory to shower, do laundry, and sleep.

Capt Bourne

Capt Key

Lt Pezel and Capt Key

Lt Yourisen followed by Lt Pezel

Lt Dueitt

Lt Webb followed by Capt Galle

Lt Yourisen

Capt Galle

Lt Pezel

Capt Key

Capt Dinan

Capt Galle

Capt Dunkle

Capt Dinan

Capt Brockman

Lt Dueitt

Lt Paciello

Lt Salmon

Capt Benfield

Capt Hartley

Capt Turner

Lt Bach

The whole class lined up for a hot dinner out at Blue Thunder

A rainbow over the high ropes course

25 July Part 3 - The Rock Climbing Wall

Right after the toothpick, we headed to the other side of the tower and attacked the rock climbing wall. Everyone did an awesome job! There was even a little friendly competition to see who could reach the top of the wall first. Lt Bach cleaned up as our last climber with a time of 40 seconds - crazy fast! We all cheered each other on - what an amazing team!

Capt Bourne

Capt Galle

Lt Pezel

Lt Yourisen

Capt Benfield

We all stuck right by the rock wall to cheer our flight on

Capt Hartley

Roommates - Capt Brockman and Lt Dueitt

Capt Turner

Capt Dinan

Lt Paciello

Lt Salmon

Capt Key

Capt Dunkle

Lt Webb

Lt Bach

25 Jul Part 2 - The Toothpick!

In the afternoon following our litter carry exercise and building an Alaskan shelter, we headed over to "the toothpick", rock climbing wall, and the ropes course. The toothpick is essentially a telephone pole, parallel to the ground, 40 feet high. We were given helmets, harnesses, and gloves, and climbed up the tower to go out. For some it was easier than others, but we all did it! After going out and back across the toothpick, we rappelled down the wall of the tower. Enjoy the pictures!

Lt Webb and Lt Salmon after rappelling down

Lt Webb

Capt Key

Lt Salmon

Capt Dinan

Lt Bach and Capt Key rappelling down

Lt Yourisen and Lt Bach

Lt Salmon

Lt Webb

Capt Dinan

Capt Key

Capt Turner

Capt Brockman

Lt Paciello and Lt Dueitt

Capt Brockman

Lt Yourisen

Lt Dueitt

Lt Dueitt and Capt Turner getting ready to rappel down

Lt Dueitt and Capt Turner

Capt Turner

Lt Paciello

Capt Brockman

Lt Dueitt

Capt Galle

Capt Hartley

Capt Benfield

Capt Turner

Lt Pezel, Capt Dunkle, and Capt Bourne

Capt Dunkle and Capt Bourne

Capt Hartley

Capt Bourne

Capt Benfield

Lieuuuuuuutenant Webb!

The following eye-level pictures were captured by Capt Fesler, our flight commander, who was at the top of the tower cheering us on (and yelling at us to finish up already!):