Dream of soaring the skies comes true

COEUR d'ALENE - From the time he was a little kid, Matt Conley always wanted to fly.

He moved to Coeur d'Alene with his family when he was 13. While growing up, he put his dream of soaring through the skies on hold as he was busy with school, playing hockey, then college.

But, he never forgot.

Earlier this month, Conley, 33, got his wings - Black Hawk pilot wings.

The 1997 Lake City alumnus graduated from the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence flight school at Fort Rucker, Ala.

"It's a big honor. Up until now, graduation was the goal," Conley said. "Now the goal is to go do good things for the country."

The Black Hawk is a versatile, multi-use helicopter, that can carry an entire platoon, Conley explained.

According to the U.S. Army's fact file, an 11-person, fully-equipped infantry squad can be lifted in a single Black Hawk, and transported quickly in most weather conditions. The Black Hawk can reposition a 105 mm Howitzer, its crew of six, and lift up to 30 rounds of ammunition in a single lift.

A six-year National Guard member, Conley is a warrant officer for the Washington National Guard unit at Fort Lewis. He previously worked full-time for two years with the Idaho National Guard unit in Moscow.

After a rigorous, six-month acceptance process, he spent 18 months at the U.S. Army's flight school in Alabama, a time he says was filled with academics and flying.

"It was extremely challenging for me, being a little older. Most of the people are between 24 and 26," Conley said. "But it was challenging for everyone."

He has since returned to his Washington unit to await further orders.

"They're going to teach me how to fly a specific mission," Conley said.

He expects to be flying for the Guard several times a month.