Status: Real
Add this to the list of strange extreme sports. Crewmen on military helicopters have apparently been engaging in an activity known as Supermanning. This involves
"hanging from an open cargo door and letting the rushing wind 'fly' [your] body, attached only by a safety belt." This practice came to light when Petty Officer Brian Joplin recently
died as a result of it. (He fell 125 feet from the helicopter into the Persian Gulf after the safety belt slipped over his shoulders.) I imagine this would make Joplin a strong candidate for a Darwin award.
The Virginian-Pilot (may require registration to view the article) provides a brief reconstruction of what happened:
“The co-pilot in the left seat noticed in his … mirror, a pair of boots dangling below the back of the aircraft,”... The co-pilot asked the other crew members by radio if everything was OK and was told it was, according to the report. But then crew members saw Joplin’s belt start to slip and still could not get him inside the helicopter. They told the pilot to slow down immediately and lower altitude. “The co-pilot aggressively decelerated and descended,” the report said. But it was too late. Almost immediately, one of the crew members said, Joplin had fallen.
Another stunt crewmen do to pass the time is called the "slide for life." This involves swinging out on a safety line and slingshotting back into the aircraft. Senior military officers claim to be astounded to learn that this kind of activity has been going on behind their backs. However, while supermanning might be real,
fire diving remains a hoax.
Comments
And, Ms Joplin, I think it was horrible taste for your brother to endanger himself and needlessly waste the millions of dollars involved in his training and service. A Petty Officer should know better, and act as a better example for those under him.
Your brother/husband/uncle did a great service to his country by giving his life for knowledge. That is, he taught others how not to get killed by acting like an idiot. You should be proud that his death will probably save the lives of others stupid enough to otherwise follow in his footsteps.
I would nominate the man for a Darwin, but that would be ignoring the noble and patriotic purpose for which he laid down his life.
All the way down.
We all have done things that we look back upon and wonder why we did that, unfortunately his family will not have the opportunity to ask him, my pryers go out to his family, and to his daughters, nieces & nephews, just let them know that he proudly served his country doing something he loved.
The couple of no name idiots who have the balls to criticize but wont tell us who they are, probably never served there country anyway. Do not let them get to you they are probably off hugging a tree somewhere.
And to the moron with the "millons of dollars on training comment" one comment for you "tounge my balls" you fairy, yea they do spend a lot of money on training. After I got out they paid me $60,000 for my undergad degree and another $70,000 going towards my masters, so dont you worry about were your tax dollars are going anyone reading this who know me, I PARTIED ON YOUR MONEY Thanks again.
I think it is fair however, to say that he died in a tragic way, and his death could have easily been prevented. I know that at times millitary life can be boring, however Mr. Joplin should have been more responcible. He wanted a cheap thrill thats why he died.
Although he was in the millitary, on active duty, I would not say that he died for his country, not at all. Instead of dying in the line of fire, or in an accident, he chose to preform stunts. We should defend Brian as a man, and as a soldier, but we cannot defend his actions.
fort rucker, AL
P.S. You want me to tongue your balls? And you call me a fairy? AHAHA. No thanks, asshole. Ask your mom, though. That bitch will do anything for a quarter, and I mean ANYTHING.
And if you make anything more than 10 bucks an hour in that worthless state you live in it would be a miracle, oh wait they might tax you on that as well.
Why didn't I comment on your infantile comment before now? Simple, I never got the posting and so I didn't see your comment until I got your posting today.
I was stationed with Brian in Alameda, we worked in the same shop everyday for 2 years. I was a crewman and he wanted to be one very badly. I was very happy to hear that he finally became one. This man was not an idiot and his memory does not deserve the tarnishing that is taking place here. People make mistakes...unfortunately his mistake cost him his life and for those of us who knew him we have to go through the rest of our lives missing him.
Brian, rest in peace Bro... tell Opie that I said hi. You are both missed!