RUDOLPH VALENTINE HOBBS
U.S. Army Pilot
Son of a U.S. military serviceman, Rudolph Hobbs was born in Verdun, France.
Having developed a love for flying as a child, Hobbs enlisted in the army in
1975 with the expectations of becoming a pilot. Since then he has not only
become a pilot, but on this day in 1989, CW3 Hobbs became the first Black to
ever be crowned World Precision-Flying Helicopter Champion. As part of a
two-man crew aboard a U.S. OH-58 helicopter, Hobbs teamed with former world
champion Jon Iseminger to capture the 1989 title. Competition came from the
world's finest military and civilian pilots, which included six other U.S.
teams, the Soviet Union, France, West Germany, Great Britain, and South Africa.
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Rudolph Valentine Hobbs
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The competition was comprised of four events-a 93 mile navigation course, 50
mile timed-arrival and load dropoff course, precision flying event, and s
lalom/skills course. Team Hobbs, representing Fort Rucker, scored an amazing
796 points out of a total 800. In honor of his accomplishments, Hobbs was
presented the Distinguished Flying Cross on behalf of President Bush, whom he
visited at the Oval Office.
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