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My name is Glenn S. Bloom and for 6 years, I was a U.S. Army Helicopter Pilot,
and Chief Warrant Officer. I initially learned to fly in the TH-55, which is also
known as the Hughes 269/300 series of helicopters. At the time, it was the primary
flight trainer for the U.S. Army. I then moved on to fly the UH-1H Huey, and
subsequently, I learned to fly the OH-58 (Bell Jet Ranger) and the CH-47D Chinook.
I have over 1800 helicopter flight hours to include time in the theater of Operation
Desert Storm. After Desert Storm, I was chosen to instruct at the 2B24 flight
simulator at Fort Sill Oklahoma, teaching a refresher course in instrument flight
procedures, and operating the simulator console. I worked there with a wonderful man
whose name was Bill Montgomery. Bill was known to many in the National Guard, Reserves
and Active Duty components for his wonderful training, knowledge and patience. His
passing a few years after I left Ft. Sill left a great void in the Army Aviation
Community.
For those who do not know, console operations require a complete knowledge of instrument procedures, air traffic control operations, as well as all of the operating and emergency procedures for that aircraft. I found this to be the most challenging and rewarding experience in my Army career. All the time I was operating the simulator, I was maintaining currency as a dual rated line pilot (In both the UH-1 and OH-58 aircraft). It was normal on any given day, to operate the simulator in the morning, climb into one type of aircraft, and then right into another.
Most of my time in the Army was spent at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and while there, I performed a myriad of different flight operations. I have been involved in military police work, fire fighting, aerial animal control
and capture, search and rescue, medical evacuation, external load and live hoist operations, aircraft accident investigation, VIP transport for foreign and US military dignitaries, aerial observation of artillery, laser range
safety operations, INF Treaty compliance operations, troop insertions, explosive ordinance disposal, environmental survey, observer\controller and Opfor operations for war games, and extensive work with the US Army Corps of Engineers. It was a very well rounded series of adventures, for which I am eternally grateful to the command at Fort Sill. The command there, and the US Army in general gave me every opportunity to learn, and they supplied me with a wealth of experience. Some of which, I would like to share with you.
My interest in aviation started when I was a small child. My younger Brother was a great influence in my love for aviation, as well as my Mother. My Brother joined the Marines at the age of 18 and went on to become a radio operator in carrier based aircraft while detached to the Navy. He has always loved air racing and he was the one who convinced me to chase my dream of becoming a Army pilot while we were at an air race at Reno.
When I was young, my Mother worked for a company in Van Nuys, CA. that converted Beechcraft 18's into turboprop airliners with tricycle landing gear. After working there for a few years, she went on to become the office manager for the Professional Race Pilots Association (PRPA), and then the subsequent follow on organization the United States Air Racing Association (USARA). My Mother was instrumental in the organization of all of the air races in the early 70's through the mid 80's. I was able to meet some fantastic and famous people due to her association with them through PRPA and USARA. She was a well recognized force on the ramps at the Reno and Mojave races, and not much went on that she was not a major part of. I still have some of the old racing programs which featured her picture.
This photo (Courtesy of Mark Daniels) was taken of her and one of our good family friends in their racing jackets at Reno 1977. Mom is on the right.
My mother also organized all of the aircraft used in the "Baah Baah Black Sheep" television series. Her Van Nuys office was used as the home base for the aircraft during the filming. 7 FG-1 and F4U Corsairs as well as the numerous AT-6 zero replicas, the B-25 camera ship, and the
Grumman Duck seaplane were used in the filming. I can not begin to tell you how much time and effort went into getting those planes to come from all over the country to participate in that television series. She returned
to Reno in 1997 to see the air races for the first time in over 10 years with my Step Father who was asked to work ramp security, and it seemed like everyone there knew who she was.
Mom has always been a great inspiration to me. She raised 4 kids alone and worked full time, and never received
one penny of Government assistance. I am now and always have been proud to be her son.
From 1995 to 1997, I was working full time as a computer operator, going to college full time as a computer programming student, and working on the Miss America Air Racing Team on the weekends. Some may ask why I took on so many things all at once. My only answer is that life is short, and I do not want to sit around and watch it pass me by. I like to be active, and loved it when someone asked me what I did for a living. I hope to continue to be very active in air racing and other things as they come up.
I secured a position as a contract computer programmer in early 1998, which lead to another contract position as a PC Support Technician for the Federal Government. I currently work full time as a Federal employee, leaving the "contract world" in November of 2001.
In early 2002, I was approached to become a member of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary which is the volunteer branch of the U.S. Coast Guard. Since that time, I have taken an active role in the Flotilla (16-06) and because of my ability to create web sites, to contact the local media, and to get things done, I have been asked to be the Public Relations and Communications Services Staff Officer and Web Master for the Flotilla.
One may not think there is much of a need for the Coast Guard in Oklahoma, but this state has more "Shore Line" (Lakes and rivers) than most coastal states. The Auxiliary teaches safe boating, conducts search and rescue, performs courtesy vessel inspections and patrols local waterways (Among other things). I am proud to serve with this fine group of dedicated people.
I live in Oklahoma with my lovely wife of 17 years. I hope that everyone is as fortunate as I have been in finding a life mate. I have been truly blessed to have such a wonderful lady in my life. I also have been blessed with some of the best in-laws a man could ever have.
One thing that I can tell you is that I could not have done all that I have in my life without the support of a loving wife and family.
I hope you enjoy your stay here in my cyber home. If you have any questions about helicopters or air racing, please feel free to ask. If I don't have an answer, I will get one for you as soon as I can.
Reno Ramp Security 2005
Glenn S. Bloom
