A National Guard helicopter dropped candy into a private party in the Phoenix neighborhood of Arcadia, and now the guardsmen who did it are under investigation. KPNX-TV, Phoenix
The Arizona National Guard is investigating a crew that flew a Black Hawk helicopter over a Halloween party in an upscale Phoenix neighborhood, dropping candy, according to a military spokesman.
The aircrew on the UH-60 Black Hawk took off from the Papago Military Reservation, near Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport on the south side of the city, Oct. 28 for a training mission in Deer Valley, on the north side of Phoenix.
On the way, the helicopter flew over the Arcadia neighborhood in central Phoenix and dropped the candy at a Halloween party, the Guard said.
The investigation involves crew members from the 2nd Battalion, 285th Aviation Regiment and is expected to be completed in 30 to 60 days, Arizona National Guard spokesman Maj. Gabe Johnson said Wednesday.
Four crew members have been suspended from flying duties, Johnson said.
The National Guard is not releasing the names of the crew pending completion of the investigation.
"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."
In the meantime, officials have suspended the flight duties of those involved, according to the press release.
Residents in the neighborhood reported a chopper flying about 50 feet over their homes where it hovered for about 3 minutes, according to The Arizona Republic.
Concerned and curious residents in the area took to the neighborhood social media site Nextdoor to ask questions and offer theories about the helicopter's activities.
One neighbor was concerned at first that it might be a drug drop.
Another said the helicopter scared kids at a local soccer game at Biltmore Preparatory Academy.
But one neighbor posted that the helicopter had dropped candy to children at a Halloween party in the area.
Contributing: Kathleen Curthoys, Army Times
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