Joe Lusk

West Point, 2001

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Joe Minor on February 16, 2005:

I got to know Joe well at West Point during our long hours working on numerous aero. projects, and problem sets. He was always one of the guys that I wanted in my project group; or rather I wanted to be in his. Not only was he smart enough to tackle any task, but he also had the work ethic to see the job through. Not to mention he had a magnetic personality and could make the most boring project interesting with his humor and positive attitude. Joe was a guy you didn?t have to see every day or even every month to know that the next time you got together you would be just as good of friends. When I heard that Joe was going to be flying Longbows I was excited at the increased odds I would have of working with him again. The attack community is a very small and close knit group. When I started flying all my instructors said that if I spent enough time in Aviation I would know someone that would be killed in a helicopter crash. I had hoped to be the exception, but when I received that call from a classmate their predictions came back to me. Joe isn?t the only person I?ve know that passed away in Operation Iraqi Freedom, but he is defiantly the person I feel closest too. And thus far the only fellow attack pilot. I know that Joe was passionate about flying and serving his country. I only wish he had the opportunity to continue doing so for a career. With his work ethic and intelligence he could have easily become ?the best damn gun pilot in the Army.? His passing is a great loss. I know the Attack Aviation community and the Army would have been a much better place with Joe involved. Joe, you will always be a friend and someone I will remember. May your spirit look over those of us who fly, and know that you are in our hearts and minds each time we pull pitch and move skyward. Your Friend and fellow Gun Pilot, Joe

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