Illinois Aviator Takes Last Flight

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DECATUR, IL (06/12/2015)(readMedia)-- Chief Warrant Officer 2 Nick Booker of Decatur, Illinois, a UH-60 Blackhawk pilot with Company A., 1st Battalion, 106th Aviation Regiment based in Decatur, Illinois took his last flight in an Illinois Army National Guard aircraft May 4.

During his 20-year tenure with the Illinois Army National Guard, he served in many different positions. Booker started his career in 1995 as a personnel clerk in Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 106th Aviation Regiment based in Peoria, Illinois. Booker then joined A. Co. as a full-time supply technician. In addition to supply, Booker also performed duties as a rotary-wing mechanic and UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter crew chief.

Booker deployed to Iraq with Co. A. as a crew chief and supply specialist from Dec. 2003 until Feb. 2005. When he returned from this deployment, Booker decided to go to Warrant Officer Candidate School and Initial Entry Rotary Wing Training as an Army helicopter pilot. Booker graduated in 2009 and began flying Blackhawks in Co. A. Booker continued to fly with Co. A. and acquired status as pilot in command.

Booker, who works for Caterpillar Inc., was transferred to Thailand, which made it difficult to continue his career in the Illinois Army National Guard. When he announced his decision to retire from the military his unit gave Booker a "wash down," a traditional spray from the flight facility's fire vehicles to commemorate his last flight.

Cutline 1: Chief Warrant Officer 2 Nick Booker of Decatur, Illinois receives a "wash down" from Army Aviation Support Facility 1's fire vehicles to commemorate his last flight as an Illinois Army National Guard Aviator May 4. Booker made the decision to retire with 20 years in the military after his employer, Caterpillar Inc., transferred him to Thailand. (Courtesy photo)

Cutline 2: Chief Warrant Officer 2 Nick Booker of Decatur, Illinois stands with family members after receiving a "wash down" from Army Aviation Support Facility 1's fire vehicles to commemorate his last flight as an Illinois Army National Guard Aviator May 4. Booker made the retired with 20 years in the military after his employer, Caterpillar Inc., transferred him to Thailand. (Courtesy photo)