| Randall S. Kluj of Orneville, is a veteran of the Iraq War, having served a fifteen-month tour in 2006 as an Apache Longbow attack helicopter pilot. He has been a member of the Joseph P. Chaisson Post 41 for the past five years.
Randy graduated from Norwich University and during summer breaks worked with the Piscataquis County Sheriff Department on marijuana abstraction which involved riding in helicopters, which increased his desire to fly.
In October 2003 he joined the U.S. Army under the Warrant Officer Program, followed by aviation pilot training at Fort Rucker AL. During flight training a turkey buzzard flew through the windshield and landed on the instructor’s feet.
Randy was selected to fly the attack helicopter AH-64 Longbow Apache and assigned to the 1st Air Calvary at Fort Hood Texas where he received further combat flying tactics.
In October 2006 he deployed to Camp Taji, Iraq, where he spent some eight hundred hours of combat missions, earning, among other medals, the Air Medal with valor. The unit sadly lost one of the aircraft and two crew members to enemy ground fire. All-out protection was provided to the downed aircraft until a ground force arrived and recovered the pilots’ remains. At the time, insurgents had many mobile anti-aircraft units capable of shooting down aircraft. During the fifteen month tour Randy had the opportunity to destroy and decrease the number. Friendly ground forces just love these Apache pilots for the close support, sort of the Calvary coming to the rescue with massive fire power and changing the outcome of many engagements.
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Randy Kluj, now a certified instructor pilot, returns to Iraq this spring for another tour with the 1st Air Cavalry.
Our prayers go with him for a safe return. | |
- RANDALL S. KLUJ
