Army flight crew suspended for dropping Halloween candy in Phoenix
Nov 6, 2014, 6:34 PM | Updated: 6:34 pm
PHOENIX — An Arizona National Guard Black Hawk helicopter crew was reportedly suspended after dropping candy over a Phoenix Halloween party.
The Army Times reported the sweets drop took place over a home in the Arcadia neighborhood near 36th Street and Camelback on Oct. 28.
During the tasty raid, the helicopter flew about 50 feet over homes and hovered for about three minutes, panicking some neighbors.
“Somebody said that helicopter dropped some packages and go, oh my god, now what is this, some cartel?” said the neighbor, according to a report from KSAZ, a FOX affiliate in Phoenix.
One resident said the helicopter scared kids at a local soccer game at Biltmore Preparatory Academy.
The National Guard send the four-man flight crew was suspended from flying duties.
“The incident was not sanctioned by the Arizona National Guard and will be investigated further to ensure it does not occur again,” said Army Brig. Gen. William Hall, land component commander. “The Arizona National Guard does not authorize nor condone the use of military aircraft or equipment for personal use.”
The crew was flying the Black Hawk from Papago Military Reservation, near Sky Harbor International Airport, to training in the northern part of the Valley.
The investigation into the candy drop is expected to take 30 to 60 days.
