Wednesday, October 26, 2005

It's a Bird! It's a Plane! It's ...

Harold Hohm?

Here's what we've heard bandied about: Hohm is running the new Helicopter Unit; it'll be attached to Special Operations; at least one of the people also in training was an Air National Guard pilot; the city is going to take one of the fire department helos and give it to the department; a second helo will be purchased; the choppers will be armed with Gatling guns and Air-to-Surface missiles and operate "weapons free" at all times (ok, we made that last part up ... but wouldn't it be cool?)

Here's what we don't know: What about the rest of the guys, including Hohm - do they all have pilot experience? Because training a unit to fly helicopters ought to take a bit more than 4 weeks; since SOS already covers the land and sea (Marine Unit), and now they're getting close air support, can the rest of us get some toys to play with? Tanks maybe? Or rifles? Rifles would be cool; who is in the unit and who is their whack? Did anyone see a request for pilot resumes or was this another typical city ... oh wait, stupid question.

49 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Five Chicago sports fans were climbing a mountain one day. Each was a fan of a different Chicago team and each proclaimed to be the most loyal of all fans to their team.

Finally as they reached the top, the Blackhawk fan hurled himself off the mountain, shouting, "This is for the Hawks!!!" as he fell to his doom. Not wanting to be outdone, the Bulls fan threw himself off the mountain, proclaiming, "This is for the greatest team of the 90's!!!" Seeing this, the Bears fan walked over and shouted, "This is for DITKA!!!", and leapt to his death.

The two remaining fans just looked at each other in stunned silence. After a minute, the Sox Fan shouted, "This is for everyone on the South Side!!!" and pushed the Cubs fan off of the mountain.

10/26/2005 06:37:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Any truth to the rumor that beats 1611 and 1612 will get all new windows,doors,insulation etc.? Since we will fall right into the path of the new runways. We are supposed to get all the new goodies like the homes off of Cumberland Ave did? So dont replace them yourselves as of yet??

10/26/2005 07:23:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

There was a request for applications from PO's $ Sgt's with flying and aircraft maintainance experience a few months back. Was in the bulletin though I can't remember specifically when. I know a Sgt. from 009 put in an application citing his extensive Apache Longbow Flight Simulator (TM) experience as well as his having seen every episode of Airwolf. That was a great show, Airwolf.

10/26/2005 07:40:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hohm was the last piolet from the old air unit

10/26/2005 08:05:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The Daily Bulletin a few months ago asked for all Department Members who were certified Pilots to update their records with personnel. I saw it with my own eyes.

10/26/2005 08:26:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

This was all Commander Hohm's doing. He met with the mayor over the last few months to make it happen.

There are a number of department members from the Vietnam, Desert Storm and current theater of conflict with chopper flying skills.

It's cheaper then a pod camera believe it or not...

All together now, thanks commander hohm.

10/26/2005 08:54:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Commander Hohm has been talking about and doing research for an aero unit for over the past ten years (that I know of). He is a certified pilot for both fixed wing and helo's. He previously owned a plane that he flew in and out of MDW. As a previous poster related, he was one of the pilots of our (very old) helicopter unit from the 70's.

For a city the size of Chicago, we are way overdue for an aero unit. I am glad that his passion lasted the test of time and that he stuck it out and never gave up to make this a reality.

Perhaps he could be an example to more of us that want the Department to serve the people better by doing the right things... and doing things right!

10/26/2005 09:58:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Amen to that. Now let's all quite are btiching and moaning and get to it!

Thanks Commander Hohm.

10/26/2005 10:00:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hohm in charge of Helo unit ha ha that twig would blow away approaching the Helo. OOhh and by the way don't you have to sober to fly -- na he just in charge he can still drink

10/26/2005 10:04:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Did an order come out on the deployment for the sox riots? 12 hour days? days off cancelled? baby blue hard hats?

10/26/2005 10:07:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The order is almost done.

No one is expecting Bulls type problems.

Reality check = it's the White Sox...

But if they do win and I work, can I get a black and white ribbon with a little pair of socks on it?

10/26/2005 10:33:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Dont give Hohm any credit. The feds gave us the money a long time ago for a chopper. It was part of the Home Land Security funds. The city tried to spend it on something else. When the feds found they forced the city to purchase it or give the money back.

10/26/2005 11:02:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

As much as I dislike Hohm, I will be the first to acknowledge that this is something Chicago has long needed. Hopefully, instead of doing it only "on-call" as the old ISP Air One was, they can put one up from 9:00 to 1:00 AM or so on Fridays and Saturdays in the summer for the south side and west side. If they have two, I'd suggest 9:00 PM to 4:00 AM on the south and west sides, every friday and saturday in the summer.

I assume most of you guys have worked 3rd or 1st watches on the south or west sides to the point where you'd see the likely value in having a helicopter up (with night vision, wide-search capabilities).

Thus, yeah for Chicago. Too bad about Hohm.

10/26/2005 11:13:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

A helo unit is overdue. I remember looking for a jag off in a rail road yard and being shot at. When The tac sgt asked for the isp helo and its infa red camera it was denied by the street dep. Maybe all we will need know is a bt sgt to request it. it cant cost much more than a 24 hour HBT call up with overtime and all.
latest rumor for sgt's?

10/26/2005 11:21:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

To 10:07,crime lab and ET's put on 12hr shifts,for 3rd watch,and 1st watch starts 2 hours early tonite.

10/26/2005 12:11:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hopefully Harry Hohm can do a better job of keeping the helicopter out of Lake Michigan than he did the squad car!!!

10/26/2005 12:53:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

In all honesty, I did see something in a Daily Bulletin requesting POs and Sups that have rotor or fix-wing exp to comtact some one....

I heard this rumor 5 mo's ago. The (small) notice was maybe 3 mo's ago.

10/26/2005 02:42:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The birds are waaaaaay overdue; the Homeland Security Grant money had been approproated when Hillard was Supt.; Hohm had spec'd it out for 1 helo with all the bells and whistles. The helo we'll get from Fire will be their VN era UH1H; still serviceable, but no gadgets. The new helo will have the FLIR and other gadgetry. Be aware, however, with only 2 helos, they will not be airborn 24-7; more likely in an on call status. Realize also that this will give the department the leverage for a bonafide no pursuit policy

10/26/2005 03:43:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

AIRWOLF ROCKED!!!! Where's that Netflix web site!!

10/26/2005 04:03:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

To do it right, it would have to be 24-7.

By the time the piolt sobers up, gears up, and warms up the bird, the Off would be caught or the chase will be terminated.

Non 24-7 Helo = waiste of $$$$$$

10/26/2005 04:08:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I disagree with "up 24-7". You have to play the odds, but there is no reason to create a bloated bureaucracy to cover the hours of least need.

Available 24-7 is a good idea, but "up 24-7" would be expensive and take too much away from street resources.

Still, friday and saturday nights from April to October, there is no way they should be waiting for someone to call em out.

10/26/2005 04:11:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I worked a car in the mid 90s that had an isburn (sp?) radio, and we actually raised the State Police Helicopter, known as Air 1, a few times (they were at Midway) on the 1st watch. It was always a riot, that huge spot light used to even catch assholes we weren't looking for. They scattered just like roaches in the light. Don't know Hohm, but glad to have him, and his thinking.

10/26/2005 04:15:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I heard the TRU unit is getting a helicopter too.....

10/26/2005 04:34:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

You worked a car and called em yourself? That seriously sounds like something that was entirely against orders by 1995, was it legit when you did it?

I've heard em called, particularly when assholes took potshots at the police in 008 or 010. But I also remember several incidents where supervisors refused to authorize a request, most likely due to the paperwork that they feared would be necessary later.

But man, the 11th district from 1965 to 2003 could have used one of these things at almost any hour of almost any day. If anyone with half a brain was ever in charge before, they would never have taken the capability away.

10/26/2005 04:56:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

T.R.U. get a chopper? THEN they'd be JUMP-OUT BOYS!

10/26/2005 05:57:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I wrote a proposal in the mid 90s regarding bringin helos back to the department; could'nt get an exempt to back it; was asking for 6 smaller piston engined helos, instead of the big twin jet turbine aricraft. Operating and acquisition costs were about the same for the 6 pistons as the 2 turbines, and the extra 4 birds allowed for almost 24-7 flight activity. The smaller birds got veto'd 'cuz someone said something about using them for VIP transport.

10/26/2005 09:22:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The point is we are getting them - so thanks to whomever for making it so.

10/26/2005 10:23:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

When are they supposed to be up and running??

10/27/2005 01:11:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I wonder what the procedure will be to call the helicopter for a foot chase...might as well have one hovering over 007 and another between 011 and 015 cos them be running alls the time!

10/27/2005 07:22:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

As a Marine Reservist helo mech for 30 years, I have always been skeptical of either Fire or Police helo ops. Police crashed every chopper we had years back, Hohm being in the last crash landing on the ike xpressway. none of our guys were trained in instrament flying or navagation for that matter. Never saw the Fire or Police Preflight or post flight their a/c (aircraft)
Use all former military pilots, most Airfarce/Navy/Marine are collage grads and officers, which means very, very few on PD, some guard guys though or Army warrant officers, does not mean they ain't good I'm just a little predjudice toward having Marine or Navy Pilots. Either way God Bless, Good Luck, Helicopter ops or VERY UNFORGIVING, nothing like a beat car accident or falling down a flight of stairs......
Semper Fi
10 NOV "Happy B-Day"

10/28/2005 01:25:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Commander HOHM is one of the good guys they forgot about, he is an Ace pilot, both with fixed wing and Helo experience. He has been pushing the Department for the things we needed for a long time, that's why he is still around. He is a policeman's policeman. I worked under him some years back. He would give constructive criticism to you if you needed it. It does not make him a bad guy, just smart, he saved many a coppers from B.S. Lawsuits. So if you think this happened by accident you are wrong. HOHM made it happen!!!! If you think you know it all, then I can understand why you do not like him. Beware, he is not going away, he is the REAL POLICE!

10/29/2005 02:00:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hohm is the best choice for the job. He knows how an outfit runs. Especially an airborne unit. I hope anyone that says badshit about him has proof to back it up. Lies prove shit, so save the B.S for your buddies at the bar. I think he is a good leader and cares about his troops. Is that wrong? Only a small minded person would think so! I've come to believe that small minded people think alike. So, save your bullshit for the PPO's, maybe they will believe it. I know he is the one that got this Helo thing on board. You shouls be thanking him for sticking around so long.

10/29/2005 02:14:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey, Mister Marine Reservist, you should get your facts straigt. It is so funny anyone can post lies on this Blog. Save your Marine Corps B.S. for someone that knows the truth. I would be happy to have Navy/Marine Helo Pilots at the ready, but that is not going to happen, the number of pilots for Helos comes from the U.S. Army. You fool, get your numbers right. The U.S. Army trains all of the pilots for Helos, so are you saying that when they go back to there perspective branch, they get better training? I think not. All military guys know that it is all and one of the same. You can be "Gung-Ho" no matter where you serve! So drive on you misdirected Marine/if you are one. I would go to hell and back with CMD. Hohm, he is one of the good guys. Semper-Fi!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

10/29/2005 02:30:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

THE HELO'S WILL BE LIKE EVERY OTHER "SPECIAL" TEAM IN THE CITY......TOO SPEACIAL TO WORK THE HOURS THEY ARE NEEDED. BOSSES KIDS NEED TO BE AVAILABLE DURING NORMAL MATEING HOURS AND THE SPOTS ARE TOO GOOD TO BE GIVEN TO THOSE WHO DESRVE THEM. THANK'S FOR SERVING YOUR COUNTRY BUT DON'T FOR ONE SECOND THINK THAT YOUR COMBAT EXP. WILL OVERCOME CLOUT.

10/29/2005 05:21:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Sounds like what the citizens of Los Angeles refers to as the "Ghetto Bird" disturbing the peace of the working people of the 007th, 011th, 015th and 002nd districts when some over stressed young cop calls them out to help locate their one-bag offender who got away.

10/29/2005 07:36:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Man, some of you guys sound like you're getting tea-bagged by Hohm. Stop watching COPS and stop kissing his ass, you sound pathetic. Anyone care to tell the story on how he got the nickname "Harry the Hat"? Another personality-less gold star. And who cares about this helo unit? It's gonna be just another unit that takes the clout heavies away from our man power needs on the frontlines.

Does anyone know the number of POs that actually are assigned and working at the districts?

10/29/2005 02:54:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Back to the chopper issue: Did you know we already have a chopper with night vision availible to us right know. The Fire Dept. has a new chopper with FLIR already in service. We have used it several times and they love to come out. The only requirement is the a sworn meber must be onboard. They will fly to a landing zone and pick you up for the mission. To request the CFD chopper just go through OEC... Yes its that easy...

10/30/2005 10:16:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

In response to 10:16, he is right. You don't have to be a supv to request the helo, I know, I did it myself, and flew in it. It's not a new bird, just one newly outfitted with the FLIR unit.

10/30/2005 10:35:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

YOU ARE BOTH FULL OF SHIT

10/31/2005 08:50:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Fire rarely flies. One of the helicopters they have is designated their "law enforcement" bird, which they use when (rarely) called out for a law enforcement mission. They do NOT go out on patrol or up in the air unless they have a job, so your lag time if you did call for them would be at least 30 minutes.... hope it isn't an emergency....
And in light of some recent calls to fire for some assist, they don't want to be bothered with ANY law enforcement mission or assignment, or even to respond to requests for help from CPD.
So I have to agree with the above poster 8:50:59 on this issue...

10/31/2005 09:24:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

You could not be more mis-informed...

These guys in the CFD cant wait to fly and will respond 24/7 with a smile on thier faces.

True they dont fly on patrols and yes you may have to wait 20 or 30 minutes for them to arrive on scene. If you ever used them you too would understand why...

My guess is that you have never been in a situation where you needed them or ever called them...

No they wont come out and help you find your car after a night of drinking on the desk.

And if you think the Police Dept. Helo will be flying around on patrol you are out of your fucking mind. It cost about $3000.00 an hour to keep a bird in the air. It will take them the same amout of time to arrive on scene.

Thier policy will be the same, secure a local landing zone, one piece of fire equiptment at the zone until mission complete. They to will have to suit up, drag the bird to the pad, complete a pre flight check, get permission to take off. locate the LZ, pick up an officer familiar with the case at the LZ, get permission to take off again, now on scene 20-30 minuts later...

Before you open you mouth take a ride over to 95th and the lake and talk to the guys on the Helo, they will give you a tour and explain what it takes to get that bird in the air.

That way next time you post, you wont sound like a total fucking idiot...

10/31/2005 05:52:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I have waited two hours or more for a beat car. 20 or 30 minutes would be out standing.

10/31/2005 06:09:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I suggest you check the 24/7 swift helicopter response times of both the NYPD and LAPD.

10/31/2005 06:53:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thats NY and LA this is CHICAGO...

How soon we forget.

10/31/2005 07:26:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

fire helo? shut up with the bullshit already you moron

11/01/2005 12:20:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

TO 05:52:06 I never call people "fucking idiots" when I don't even know who they are. To comment on your "misinformation"
1. it does NOT cost $3,000.00 per hour to operate the helicopter, more like three to four HUNDRED dollars.
2. There will be patrol hours logged by the CPD helo unit.
3. I don't work the desk, I don't drink, and I have never lost my car or called for a helicopter to find it. I have called for helo support in the past.
4. Why don't you wait to see what the POLICY will be before you make a statement of which you have no knowledge?
5. I am sure the individual pilots would love to do a law enforcement mission, my previous comment was NOT about any individual CFD pilot, just regarding some REAL incident where fire was totally uninterested in responding to a request from a sergeant - well, it matters not for the purpose of this blog or this post, but YOU HAVE NO IDEA what YOU are talking about.
6. I am fully aware of what it takes to get a bird in the air.
7. Regarding your last comment, right back at you...

11/01/2005 01:10:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

hey cheeseburger,
i don't know whose training with the helo's but i have shot w/ some new swat guys and they don't impress me. maybee they should have opened it up city wide......shooters in shape aren't that hard to find. but i'm sure the pilot situation is different.

11/01/2005 04:42:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey misinformed, dont know where your getting you info? I get mine right form the guys in the Unit. Your 3 or 4 hundred dollars an hour would just about cover the salery for the crew members aboard.

3 or 4 hundred dollars may just about cover the fuel used. It costs hundreds of dollars in maint. for every hour the bird logs.

Any idea how much insurance cost to operate a Helo???

we cant forgret the cost of the new building at 12 million to house the Helos.

The new FLIR just cost. 1.2 Million and we cant forget the cost of the birds themself.

Here is some elem. school math for ya, if you divide these cost over the average number of hours flown in the air crafts life time $300.00 an hour is very conservative Number.

If Gasoline cost you $2.50 a gal and you drive your car for an hour and use 3 gallons. Does it only cost you $7.50 an hour to own and operate your car?

Quit while you ahead, before every one here knows you an idiot.

It does not matter if I know you or not, I call em like I see em..

11/01/2005 05:01:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

CORRECTION TO ABOVE. ($3000.00 an hour is a conservative number).

If you know what it takes to get the bird in the air, why do you have such a problem with it taking 20 to 30 minutes for the bird to arrive on scene. If you are the Police I would like to know how often you respond in your beat car in less than 20 or 30 minutes.

11/01/2005 05:10:00 PM  

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