This fixed wing flight is higher than typical helicopter missions allowing longer range line-of-sight communications for improved command and control.
At the height of the aftermath there were as many as thirty helicopter missions each day, more than ten times the rate normally.
Not only are helicopter missions often dangerous, but they are also inherently more disaster-prone.
Inactivated when the helicopter mission was transferred to the United States Army.
A former Marine captain, Jennings flew more than 300 helicopter missions in Vietnam.
In the Vietnam War, Rodríguez flew over 300 helicopter missions, and was shot down five times.
The same is true, naturally, of humanitarian helicopter missions.
Through January 3, 2009, Israel Air Force had flown 555 fighter sorties and 125 helicopter missions.
Michael Benson, 42, of Los Angeles, was whisked to hospital with serious lung damage after the daring helicopter mission in zero visibility.
In recent days several helicopter missions have been scrapped because of dust storms.