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Show The Park Record Section A Thursday, June 1, 1995 Page A3 Adventures in a war zione by BRUCE "GONZO" BICKSLER Editor's note: This is the third segment in a series by Park City resident Bruce Bicksler, who is working for the fJV. in Croatia. The great Croatian adventure continues. I am becoming well familiar with the various U.N. flight rules and routes here in Croatia after flying about 10 missions now. I am also comfortable in the air frame again, which is very important when flying in stressful conditions. The hops are dynamic in nature always something different and usually quite stimulating. I am enjoying the endeavor so far, and it's really good to be living in Europe again. We share our U.N. flight line with a variety of nationalities. Besides our two Bell 212 helicopters, there are two Canadian Bell 206 JctRanger helicopters and two Russian Mi-26 "Halo" helicopters which are the world's biggest. There is also an mmbmmbbi assortment of Russian fixed- wing aircraft: where we come into the picture. 1'hc brief includes exact routing along the Z.O.S. (Zone of Separation between Croat and Serb forces), recommetidcd airspeeds and altitudes, precautionary and emergency landing sites and radio frequencies. We are told not to loiter in any area in the Z.O.S. and do not circle as that can attract ground fire. We launch and I fly over the beautiful Croatian countryside of Osijek, about an hour east of Zagreb. We are closely following our designated routing on our maps, as are the observers in the back of the helicopter it's important not to stray out of the Z.O.S. in the hot areas like this one. We turn south at the edge of the city and parallel the Drava River which is the Serbian border. As we fly at 600 feet and 100 knots, the observers point out numerous Serb trenches, bunkers and a few heavy gun emplacements. Their location comes as somewhat of a surprise to the colonels as the U.N. expected the Serb front lines to be further shrapnel from the air burst. We landed and shut down after notifying the NATO AW ACS of the situation and our location. The post-flight inspection revealed no damage or leaks; the helicopter wasn't breeding and neither were we. The'troatian civilians working at the airfield told us they had heard the A. A. firing from 10 kilometers away and knew something was heating up. We canceled the rest of tharecon as the observers were obviously misinformed as to the location of the Serb lines and we really weren't up for any more action today. Upon our return to Plcso Field in Zagreb, we had quite the entourage of U.N. staff waiting for us with an unlimited list of questions. A local TV crew showed up to film but they weren't allowed near us or the aircraft. That was fine with me, there were plenty of other people to debrief with. Besides, I needed a cold beer before talking to anyone. The news travels faster than a speeding helicopter around here! mmmmm this hazardous and somewhat was not carried out in vain; a number of positive changes resulted for the lessons learned. Routing ... hear and feel a very loud 'bang, wghtemngfiight W1IIV ... ' . WU 11UL LOll UUL iiyusiun 76 Looking outside, my copilot sees TpofivYsV numerous air bursts exploding on his -careless" Qf helicopter, and the "Curi," and observer in back sees more on my through dangerous Yak 40 1 .,A (l L airspace and Codling," all S'UC. I CUUU ICC LUC uuU3Siun ui rpissiorf briefings me first air burst in my chest and ?w?rf inh . , , , . .. particular which knew it was too big to be small-arms were changed for r' , 1 r the better. We also Tire; tnis was. ..no piace Tor a learned you cannot helicopter to be." which fly regular shuttles to Belgrade (Serbia), Sarajevo (when open) and various other locations in Europe. At the other end of our tarmac is the Croatian Air Force who have an impressive display of Russian military aircraft. It's an air show nearly everyday here with their MiG-21 "Fishbed" fighters, Mi-8 "Hip" and Mi-24 "Hind" attack helicopters flying low-level formations over the town and airfield. May 17: Today we are briefed by Air Operations to fly three U.N. Observers (British and French colonels) on a recon flight in Sector East. The city of Osijek, near the Serbian border and just south of Hungary is where a lot of recent conflict is occurring and the U.N. wants to know exactly where the Serb front lines now are. That's from the city. As I initiate a gradual turn to the west, I hear and feel a very loud bang. Looking outside, my copilot sees numerous air bursts exploding on his side of the helicopter, and the observer in back sees more on my side. I could feel the concussion of the first air burst in my chest and knew it was too big to be small-arms small-arms fire; this was definitely A. A. (anti-aircraft) fire no place for a helicopter to be. I accelerated and dove to get the aircraft out of the range of the Serb guns. The controls still felt normal and all the gauges and instruments looked good so we elected to fly low and fast to the airfield outside of Osijek for the precautionary landing to see if we had been hit by depend on the latest maps issued by the U.N. in terms of troop locations along the Z.O.S. Thus, a pilcj). here ijfjust embrace a sense of self'-preserVation; we cannot put our entire faith in the intelligence reports from our briefs. It's obvious that flying on the conservative side is what will keep us in the air. Quite an experience, and I must say, I'mjdefinitely enjoying it. Note: The author has requested that his address be printed for anyone wishing jj write to him. Address mail to: Bruce Bicksler, co United Nations Croatia, Aviation Operations, Pleso RLB, : Zagreb, Croatia. As he stated, "Mail is always welcome here. Weed control meeting scheduled; Summit Co. landowners invited The Summit County Weed Board and Utah State University Extension Service, Summit County Office are co-sponsoring a public weed-control weed-control meeting for landowners in the Park CitySnyderville Basin Area. The meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 6 at 7 p.m. at the Burns Fire Station, 730 W. Bitner Rd. in the Snyderville Basin. The purpose of the meeting is to explain the Summit County Weed Control Program, discuss possible options of controlling noxious weeds, i.e. dyer's woad, within the Snyderville BasinPark City area and to get public input from landowners on how the weed board's objectives can be met. For further, information concerning this meeting, please contact Sterling Banks, USU Extension Agent at 645-9161, Ext. 219. Protect your kids... .IMMUNIZE THEM! Visit the mobile clinic at the Park City Kmart Saturday, June 3, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Racquet Club Rec Card... It's the way to play! Now available for $150 per family! This summer, recreate at the Park City Racquet Club with the new Recreation Card! Now county residents can save as much as 50 on swimming, aerobics, tennis, classes, camps and more! It's fast. It's easy. It's fun! Simply stop by or call 645-5100 for details. Park City Racquet Club ... It just makes you Jeel good. Open Mon-Sat, 7am to 10pm; Sun, 8am to 10pm. 645-5100 1200 Little Kate Road Rec Card available for $200 after July 1. Valid for one year. Rise and Shine Sunday Brunch 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. $16: Enjoy Park City's most luscious brunch every Sunday morning. Tantalize your taste buds with omelettes to order, delicious meats, seatood dishes, pastries, tresh fruits and more. or sharp a Ipisurplv mpal with a snprial nprsnn Ll Cm 3 Either way, you'll eat like a king Enjoy our other featured items: Prime Rib Buffet $149 Fridays and Saturdays, 5:00 to 10:30 p.m. Fresh Fish or Steak $8 Nightly, 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Lunch Break $3 Monday - Saturday, 1 1 :30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. l800 Pcuik cfuEnuE Cak &Jjj 1800 Park Avenue 649-7000 Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner daily Park City's Gathering Place Prices and items are subject to change. State Liquor Licensee 1 , THE YARROW Turn To The People Who Know Park City Best! V-- ' lyCl''mUi i nn" Just Listed! First Time On The Market Unique 5 bedroom, 4 baths plus 2 half baths, 2 kitchens, furnished, many extras. On Park City Golf Course. Carlyle Morris CRI.CRS 649-8601, Mobile 640-0549, 649-8447 (H) $475,000 Park West Townhouse 3 bedroom, 2 baths with garage. Roger Stephens, CRB, CRS, GRI 649-9377 647-1622 Mobile $160,000 LOTS IN ALL PRICE RANGES DEER VALLEY LOTS 3 Premier Lots with uninterrupted mountain views. Purchase separately or combine for large homesite. Priced from $275,000 JEREMY RANCH View Lot by Clubhouse. Mountain Views! $73,000 SUMMIT PARK LOT. Easy access for future building. $28,000 SAMAK HILLS cabin site in Weber Canyon. $10,000 Roger Stephens CRB, CRS, GRI 649-9377 Mobile 647-1622 1 klIp Custom"Westridge Home ? bedrooms and 5 baths. Gourmet kitchen, maids quarters wkitchenette. Double deep 2 car garage. Dave Schori, Associate Broker 649-8601 Pager 645-1090 $625,000 Silver Summit Home 4 bedroom, 2.5 baths, 1700 sq. ft. Two car garage, fenced yard and large corner lot. $200,000 Roger Stephens CRB, CRS, GRI 649-9377 $200,000 Extraordinary 5 Bedroom Home on 12 Acre Located on a quiet cul-de-sac on Park Meadows Golf Course. Spectacular views of ski resorts. Entertainment home woutdoor hot tub. Exquisite detail and decor. Carole Sanders GRI 649-1837 Mobile 646-1380 $795,000 EoBi Robert Morris & Associates Selling Park City Since 1975 801-649-8601 1-800-846-0169 Located in the Holiday Village Shopping Mall |