4 Chinooks just buzzed (sorta) the Vegas Strip

Fumbling with my Blackberry, I missed the 1st one in the shot as they flew pretty close by my hotel window. Headed to Nellis I assume.
America, F YEAH!!!
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The exact same thing happened to me 3 weeks ago in Vegas.

Wifey and I are walking outside of Caesars and I hear this whup, whup, whup, and realise instantly that these are not civilian choppers, so I look up to see 4 Chinooks pounding the sky at about 1,000' AGL.

 

I have a few rides in the Chinook.

It is a thrilling situation, to walk out of the chopper, while the two blades are turning.

 

Nellis AFB is very close by, that's a fairly common sighting. Every branch of the military, as well as a lot of other courties, run drills and war games at Nellis. If you sit in the right part of time, you can spot all sorts of neat stuff in the air (or on the ground if you fly in for practice like I use to).


Mark

 

Those aren't Chinooks! They are CH-46 Sea Knights, the Chinook's smaller cousin.

 

ah sorry and thanks for the correction, had a feeling that something was a bit different. Never saw a real Chinook in real life, only the little(r) ones

But what's a "Sea Knight" doing in Vegas? Pretty far from the ocean....

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxFG7QCYpXg[/ame]

 

Looks like they are just crossing over the city, probably look close because they are significantly larger than regular news choppers. Some guys here got in a bit of trouble after they buzzed Hoover Dam a few times and then flew down the Grand Canyon below the rim for quite distance.......

 

The ones we saw all had large fixed refueling probes extending from the front.

 

See my post above, Nellis AFB hosts every branch of the military and many other countries for drills/exercises routinely. Can be a lot of fun to watch.

On a different note, how's the Vegas trip going?


Mark

 

Hey Mark - my question was only partly tongue-in-cheek, just seemed a bit odd (though probably it's not) to see Marine choppers so far inland.
Amazing that the CH-46 first flew in 1959, and at least for the next few years is still serving!! Got to be close to some kind of record.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_Vertol_CH-46_Sea_Knight

Trips going great so far thanks for asking. Finished tied for 1st (agreed to chop the $775 prize) in a $60 holdem tourny Sunday at Harrahs, last night made the final table in an $80 tourny but got sucked out with two pair after the flop when the donkey who pushed all-in on me hit a miracle queen on the river to complete his straight. I was a 90%+ favorite to win and double up to take the chip lead, until that freakin card. Oh well that's poker....

Wynn hotel is very nice (heck of a nice selection in their Ferrari 'gift shop', but no coffee maker in the room!) and I've been to my favorite noodle joint on the floor of the Venetian twice already (if there's a more deliscious and filling meal on the strip than their $12 bowl of roast duck and pork ramen soup I don't know of it) and Thomas Keller's bistro Bouchon once.
Conference starts today so will be taking customers out to dinner tonight, maybe Bartalotta's place even though it won't count towards my rewards card from Milwaukee

cheers!
Kurt

 

I'm on the 30th floor, so I'd guess still below 1000' like KSD said(?).

Damn, now THAT is cool!
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Good to hear about the first tourny, and regarding the second, I know how it feels. I use to play blackjack tournies.

A dining secret in Vegas, the Oyster Bar in Palace Station just off the strip (west) on Sahara. The hotel/casino is a dump compared to the new strip properties, but the Oyster Bar is exceptional. The pan roast (any combo of seafood) is really excellent. I will be making a stop by when I'm there.

http://www.bestofvegas.com/Restaurants/Palace-Station-Oyster-Bar-Las-Vegas/

Bartalotta's is amazing in both flavor and price. You'll pay quite a large sum to eat there, but it's worth it.

Have fun,

Mark

 

That place sounds great - reminds me of the Pan Roasts at the Oyster Bar under Grand Central in NY (but theirs is served over bread not rice):
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEcTRm7mxR4[/ame]

Tonight my colleagues are going to Bartalottas. I'm dying to avenge my horrible beat from last night so will be grabbing another quick bowl of duck&pork noodle soup on my way to the 8PM tourny at Harrahs. Will try to get to to Palace Station tomorrow, maybe for an early lunch on my walk to the Convention Center!

cheers
Kurt

 

Well, Kurt, there is the Boeing B-52, flying continuously since 1952.

Tom