Pilots
These pilots support our wounded warriors and the HALO mission with their skill and expertise and ensure that the aerial aspects of our events are both safe and enjoyable for our honorees.
Craig R. Dehls
Flight with NVG’s – 500+ hours IMC flight – 350+ hours
Night unaided – 250+ hours |
Craig R. Dehls, CW4, Ret, was born in Dallas, Texas and grew up in Plano, Texas where he graduated from Plano East Senior High School in 1987. A few years after high school, he joined the Army as an AH-1 Cobra Helicopter mechanic in February 1989. He deployed with the 1st Infantry Division out of Fort Riley, Ks in support of Operation Desert Shield/Storm. He attended Warrant Officer Candidate School in September 1993 and graduated flight school in August 1994. After graduation from flight school, he was assigned to the 507th Medical Company (Air Ambulance) at Fort Hood, Texas where he flew the UH-1H/V MEDEVAC helicopter. In August 1997 he attended the UH-60 qualification course and was then assigned to USFK. After his tour in Korea, he was reassigned back to Fort Hood with the MEDEVAC Company again flying the UH-60. After several deployments to the Middle East region of the world he was assigned to the 68th Medical Company (Air Ambulance) at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. He deployed to OEF in support of OEF 4 and 5 (2004-2005). While deployed in Afghanistan, flew missions in support of US Army Special Forces and Army Rangers IVO FOB Salerno. After returning to Hawaii, he was reassigned to Fort Rucker, Alabama where he taught new Army aviators how to master combat flying skills in the UH-60 Black Hawk as the Platoon Leader for the Basic Combat Skills phase of flight school. He retired in April of 2009.
After retiring, Craig took a job overseas in Saudi Arabia flying the Kings Sikorsky S-92 helicopter as well as teaching young Saudi MOI pilots how to employ the helicopter in different phases of flight. In September of 2011, he returned to fly in the USA flying small ships in support of seismic operations, fire fighting, VIP and power line inspection flights. He is now employed by Petroleum Helicopters International, Inc. (PHI) where he is a S-92 Captain and flies in the Gulf of Mexico. He lives in Weatherford, Texas with his wife and his two daughters. Aircraft qualifications Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) – type rated on the Sikorsky S-92 Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) S-92 – 900+ hours UH-60 – 2,500+ hours UH-1 – 1,000+ hours B206, Astar (350B2/FX), R44 Raven II – 180 hours |
How You Can Help
Invest in the healing and recovery of our service men and women by getting involved in our organization as a sponsor, donor, or volunteer. The time or money you donate will have a lasting positive effect on the lives of our disabled veterans. Help us lift their spirits and let them know that their sacrifices will not be forgotten.