Military Helicopter Pilot Rates 9 Helicopter Rescues In Movies and TV | How Real Is It? | Insider

Retired US military helicopter pilot Dakata Brodie rates nine search-and-rescue helicopter scenes in movies and television shows for realism.
He discusses the accuracy of air and sea rescue scenes in "The Guardian" (2006), with Kevin Costner and Ashton Kutcher; "San Andreas" (2015), starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson; and "Bad Boys II" (2003), featuring Will Smith. He also comments on Coast Guard tactics in "The Perfect Storm" (2000), "Baywatch" S4E21 (1994), and "Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom" (2018). Brodie analyzes the realism of flying search and rescue helicopters in "The Rescue" (2020), "Deep Blue Sea" (1999), and "Poseidon" (2006).
Brodie flew for the US Coast Guard for 13 years as a search and rescue helicopter pilot and the US Army for eight years as a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter pilot.
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Coast Guard Helicopter Pilot Rates 9 Rescues In Movies And TV | How Real Is It? | Insider

[@RI.........]

😂😂😂😂😂 if I'm outside the helicopter we have a real bad problem. As a pilot, I am never outside .

[@kawasakieddy61]

I have over 7 hours on Microsoft flight simulator and I think the biggest lesson I've learned is if the aircraft is in the air you should not be outside of it

[@Daniel-uj1nu]

Yea XD

[@angelarch5352]

I for one definitely prefer not to be outside an aircraft if I am flying it!

[@Aviator27J]

Ever serve Houston or Galveston? I'm at Ellington Field (flying alongside NASA JSC astronauts) with the Coast Guard there but sometimes I'm at the Galveston base.

[@koscarlynn]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@peterbui3733]

These are fun to watch and educational. You guys should do one with a NASA Mission Controller for movies that feature a mission control element for a space movie.

[@HrLBolle]

you mean someone like Hr. J. Kranz in Apollo 13?

[@toasteddingus6925]

​@erickelly2886hello Front, I am back

[@amberwest7846]

That would be great!

[@AaronShenghao]

@@HrLBolle Apollo 13 can be classified as a documentary. I remembered there was a reaction from the original people involved and they said the only thing that didn't happen were arguments in mission control and on the Apollo 13.

[@HrLBolle]

@@AaronShenghao wouldn't Doku-drama be more appropriate just thinking🤔🤨

[@hipi2002]

I served with this guy back in 07. Really great dude.

[@alexgrenlie862]

Thanks for being a white knight

[@yoyoibthth]

Thank you for your service ❤️❤️

[@Jeezy11]

Thank you for your service ❤❤❤

[@bostonrailfan2427]

either Army or Coast Guard, you folks have balls of steel🫡

[@copporcolor]

Thank you for your service.

[@scotthatch2585]

“Please don’t shoot the flare at the helicopter” lol great safety tip! Loved this guy. Very knowledgeable, funny.

[@tylerritchie2736]

his tone made me think it's happened to him before.

[@Bobsofax64]

I really like how critical, professional and cool this man is. Bring him back!

[@izhamsham843]

Funny guy too 👍🏼

[@ElissonPlays]

Exactly man one my fav reviews he wasn't sparing no one credit is where credit is due 😂

[@bittergeek]

There is something fundamentally wrong in a universe where "Baywatch" is the most realistic portrayal of ... well, anything, anywhere, at any time.

[@yurylyandres6900]

He says it's a textbook operation, so... Presumably, the cheapest option for a series would've been to film an actual training session instead of making stuff up by themselves.

[@bostonrailfan2427]

considering that the show was created by and co-starred actual lifeguards it’s not surprising… no, really: the creator and the actor who played Newman were actual lifeguards

[@kyleolson8977]

@@yurylyandres6900 Training session or footage is a good call, or maybe they just told the Coast Guard to show their thing and shot it. They would save themselves a lot of money by letting the Coast Guard make all the decisions and leaving themselves to point the cameras and add reaction shots.

[@Shade01982]

Well, that was the great thing about those older shows. Because cgi was either still close to non-existent or way too expensive, a lot was done for real. It's very likely that was an actual real demo rescue.

[@kg-Whatthehelliseventhat]

​@@Shade01982yea, good point. Just like "singers" today. It is all manipulated fake audio crap.

[@MrGuideElk]

Whoever you guys use to bring in these people for their expertise needs a raise.

[@cxrcraig3]

Right, excellent

[@jondobbs69]

Damn straight!

[@mrquirky3626]

Movie Rules for Helicopter Crashes: If main character is on board when helicopter crashes then no explosion. If no main character is on board then BOOM!

[@PiotrekSzostak]

sometimes the main character is on board initially, but then falls off to safely land on something tall the heli was flying past. Then you get this disappointed pilot face who thought he's gonna make it with main character on board, but now he bailed so we're fucked

[@MJAce85]

So you can always survive a crash as long as you are with a main character

[@mrquirky3626]

@@MJAce85 Unless you're part of the flight crew and the writer never gave you a name.

[@ryanpayne7707]

@@mrquirky3626 It would be funny if the helicopter managed to autorotate offscreen and at some point in the movie, the flight crew crossed paths again with the protagonist. Protagonist: Why didn't you come look for me? Pilot: Dude, you jumped out of a helicopter at 1,500ft and we lost sight of you. How were we supposed to know you landed on a conveniently placed radio mast? We thought you hit the ground at terminal velocity. Next time, stay with the aircraft.

[@Ganiscol]

Baywatch gets a 9 - all thanks to real professionals doing it for the camera! But it was the actor in one shot messing the perfect 10 up so we could see his mug... 😂 Also, dont shoot your flare at the choppa coming to rescue you is a good piece of advise for Hollywood. 😅 Great guest critic, bring him back for more! 👍

[@PiotrekSzostak]

I was also pretty sure Bay Watch just filmed a real coast guard heli in action - just like on the air shows

[@ronnie_5150]

Who ever thought 'Baywatch' would get a 9/10 for realism? :)

[@Old-Boy_BEbop]

"shooting a flare at a helicopter, at that point you're just trying to take us down with you". brilliant reaction

[@User-54631]

“The flair is meant to be seen not caught” 😂😂

[@Idengard]

Dakata Brodie must be one of the pilot-iest names I’ve ever heard

[@Rayman1971]

I worked in forestry, helicopters were like a truck to us... Even with only light clothing, and a shovel/bag it was slow getting in and out... I could imagine the mayhem from moving front to back, with all that gear.... Wow!!!

[@Kbrookesy]

I work in forestry too, I remember trying to get back into a helicopter that was hovering over a swamp and the amount of downwash is insane

[@mandi8345]

@@Kbrookesy Newton is a surly mothereffer..... (side note: search mass effect newton. I think yall would get a kick out of it ;) )

[@Anandroid]

He’s like politely and professionally roasting these movie scenes lmao

[@andreraymond6860]

I met the man they modeled Kevin Costner's character on for the movie The Guardian. Nive fellow. Very dedicated. He was telling us stories of rescue operations during Katrina in New Orleans and choked up a few times. Very moving.

[@farhanatashiga3721]

Katrina was a traumarizing experience for all involved

[@kenbrown2808]

I still say the guardian is the prequel to waterworld.

[@jayv9779]

Remember kids. The flare is meant to be seen, not caught. 🤣

[@JBHRN]

Spot on... I was at USCG Air Sta Atlantic City 2000-07. Guardian is good in how it represents the USCG, numerous aspects have been adapted for Hollywood, just as much of the Top Guns are not 100% accurate. But the underpinnings and the qualities of the characters ring true. I am grateful for those her serve and hope that those who look at the USCG realize we are the one service in our nation that has a real 24x7 mission that is on going all time. At any given time, 1000's of Coasties are "Semper Paratus" to answer the call when it does come. If you are a boater, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE take the time to attend a boating safety course.

[@dallasyap3064]

Pretty sure Air Force and Space Force are on service 24x7 all the time too.

[@AnarexicSumo]

@@dallasyap3064 Space Force is doing nothing all the time.

[@dallasyap3064]

@@AnarexicSumo u might wanna look up what they're doing.

[@goldmanmarks]

Dakota, I know you are familiar with our son, ex- Lcdr Hayden (Jeff) Goldman. This type of commentary is exceptional. Jeff started flying at 19 and retired several years ago, but he is still flying with the LA DPW. Thank you for this it was very interesting!

[@Maazzzo]

love this series, please bring Dakata back for part 2.

[@JoshuaTootell]

12:30 I got to operate with HITRON on the USCGC Munro. His description is exactly how we got two boats. Both boats had three outboard engines, but once one of the three was shot out the runners gave up. We detained them on the ship, gathered evidence, then sunk the boats.

[@ronnie_5150]

15:42 I laughed at this one as it reminded me of a 'Simpson's' episode where Homer shot down the rescue airplane with the flare gun he was trying to signal them with. :)

[@JohnDoe19xx]

That's a badass jacket right there.

[@PiotrekSzostak]

what makes it badass is that you know he earned it. Wouldn't be so badass if it was bought from tommy hilfiger by a rich kid

[@cleverusername9369]

That's a badass right there nuff said

[@BewareTheJabberwock]

I love this guy! 😎 “The flare is meant to be seen not caught!” 😆

[@schpood]

One look at this dude in his jacket and I'm like "Yup, he's legit."

[@raremage]

The Guardian is a guilty pleasure for me. Not sure why I like that movie so much, but I really enjoy watching and rewatching it over the years.

[@Adventuregirl96]

I also love The Guardian and it is one of the reasons that I joined the Coast Guard. When I watch it I understand the parts that are not quite right, but I still enjoy it.

[@JoshuaTootell]

I did 10 years in the USCG, never saw it on purpose 🤣 MK1

[@AnarexicSumo]

@@JoshuaTootell It’dhave convinced you to go AMT that’s why.

[@WarHoover]

There is nothing more noble than risking your life so that others may live. Semper Paratus! I'm not a Coastie, but proud to wear the same Wings of Gold!

[@dcpack]

Getting them was pretty meaningful.

[@kenbrown2808]

other side of the coin: killing your crew without saving anything is poor form.

[@Zlist1994]

I just learned so much in such a small amount of time. Thank you for being so insightful and informative! Please bring him back to do more of these videos!! 😁🔥

[@randyogburn2498]

My guess would be the night vision goggles are up so the actors faces are easier to see.

[@meltz911]

More of this please. There are so many more helicopter scenes in tv and movies that you could do

[@searchBLOC941]

My father served 35 years in the USCG as a flight mechanic and retired as a Chief. Props to all those boys and girls out there flying around saving people.

[@waffensachverstandcom5505]

This guy is hilarious and I learnt a lot

[@anthonykammas3276]

This guy is great! And it's pretty crazy how Baywatch was the most realistic...

[@jonnybb]

Jurassic World 2 getting 8/10 for anything is a win.

[@dariusgwathney8055]

I remember Dakata from being at Morgan State around the same time. Good dude then and still doing good things now. Thank you for your service, my man! ✊🏾💪🏿👏🏾🙏🏾

[@HarrisonMartin]

The jacket is official - love hearing his thoughts on everything!

[@MozartTheGOAT]

Love these real life to movie comparisons!

[@randomrangoon5476]

Same. I see one I click everytime

[@arthurmorgan9650]

@@randomrangoon5476 😩😩😩

[@benjaminzabriskie5729]

Re: the perfect storm, the items he picked out were actually explained in the book. The helo was a NY (air)national guard pararescue unit, which is equipped for air to air refueling. In the book it mentions that at that time the pilots removed their NVG because the precipitation was so bad they were blind and loosing situational awareness. I’m sure they made other errors, but this wasn’t one of them

[@bostonrailfan2427]

the ship that they were assisting was too far out from the USCG helicopters so they got sent setting up that refueling scene…it was also the worst storm until Superstorm Sandy. the crew died because of the weather making it impossible to refuel, which he neglected to mention!

[@benjaminzabriskie5729]

@@bostonrailfan2427 it astonishes me that a USCG 60 pilot wouldn’t know the details on that ditching (which by the way it was)

[@afcgeo882]

@@bostonrailfan2427Thankfully only one crew member died. The rest were rescued by a CG cutter 5 hours later.

[@darthnihilus2729]

Please bring Dakota back! This was really interesting.

[@5ShotProductions]

Very very nice and humble pilot 👏 I definitely would like to go on a Helo-flight with him 🙏 And we all learned something again 😉 The Guardian is one of my favorite movies, because it‘s in essence very „real“ and portrays the work of the Coast Guard very well. Kind regards from Germany 🇩🇪, Philipp 👋

[@darylmorning]

Please bring Dakata back with some more helo rescue scenes.

[@jimjohnson3410]

Not sure how many other helicopter scenes there are to review, but you should bring him back regardless. He is just enjoyable to listen to. Good voice and humor while also being professional.

[@MoritzFischer]

Very professional guy! Thanks for all the insights.

[@FredHeim]

14:50 you'd never have a bare hand on that cable. Gloves!

[@dethiusa2591]

That 2nd movie was actually loosely based on a real event with a Air Force SAR bird. Couldn’t get the probe in the basket because of weather and had to ditch at the crest of a wave one at a time. Then the pilot stayed and controlled* crashed. I believe one airman lost his life too🤔

[@bostonrailfan2427]

four out of five survived, he was insulting them in how he ripped them apart as he ignored what was going on and why…they were sent because his colleagues weren’t able to get out that far and the nearest cutter wasn’t close enough

[@maryrichardson1318]

Love seeing this perspective. My son is a Blackhawk pilot. He spent 12 years with the 82nd Airborne, deployed 5 times, and then transitioned to the KY National Guard. He is an instructor pilot, and just got did his fixed wing final solo flight. He is working toward getting his rating for jets.

[@kristinemcclary5559]

Thank you! Your son is a hero!

[@MarkDeLucia]

I trained with Hitron on the Gallatin in 98. Great group of guys. So much fun.

[@JoshuaTootell]

Same here on the Munro in 2003. I even recovered the round out of the block of an engine after a coke bust 😁

[@matthewwhittington7722]

This was really great. This guy is awesome! Thank you.

[@BlenderStudy]

The best 17 minutes spent today..!! Thank you for the detailed information, Lt. Cmdr. Brodie and Insider..!!

[@M5YUILL]

Being RCN on the west coast I’ve done a number of hoists with USCG, and CCG mad respect for their crews and Rescue techs. Very dangerous line of work. Just watching them from the bridge of ship as the hove yards away from you awe inspiring and terrifying. Having lost a Sailor at sea the USCG was very professional proving us with air search for almost 48hrs. Tough couple days. Much love from up North.

[@marvschultz]

I am a Coast Guard veteran, and have first hand photo’s of “stitches” as we used them to stop a “go fast” boat off the coast of St. Croix. However, I cannot post a photo in this comment section. Is there a way to submit a photo?

[@tacc529]

don’t army night stalkers use night vision goggles when they fly ?

[@Alex-zi1nb]

seeing a helo crash on tarmack or anywhere else is terrifying, and thats the least of his stories

[@fazsum41]

Surprised they didn’t actually show him reacting to the “tip the hat” in San Andreas

[@IanJenn356094]

You guys should do some dinosaur movies and bring in an actual dinosaur for questioning.

[@simonisenberg4516]

Fantastic Guest! Knowledgeable and eager to explain, charming and funny, fair scoring (not that scores matter). Hopefully you get another opportunity to bring him in.

[@Maldravia]

Guardian is partial based on real life story, so it's understandable that he likes that one the most

[@bostonrailfan2427]

so was The Perfect Storm, but he ripped that apart unfairly without context for what’s going on and why. he ignored that they tried multiple times to refuel but couldn’t get it so had to ditch in extremely rough seas losing one of the crew to the raging HURRICANE!

[@AmraphelofShinar]

My father was aircrew on a USCG HH-52 back in the '70's. He was responsible for the hoist and shear talked about in this video. He received the Sikorsky Winged S award for a rescue in the Great Lakes. I often wonder if USCG pilots still talk about the Mt. Erebus crash from 1971. Look that up if you don't know what it is. He loved rotary-winged aircraft but would tell you without a doubt that they are dangerous. He said helicopters were 100,000 parts flying in close formation.

[@dcpack]

20 years of flying missions as a CG flight mech/hoist operator made me think "oh this should be good" before watching. If this is edited I watched it and felt the need to comment. Good video. The Guardian was about a 6/10 for me. Actually surprised at what was fairly accurate and face palmed a few times at what was ridiculous.

[@angelarch5352]

Wait.. are you telling me that if a helicopter just touches the water, that it DOESN'T automatically explode? Hollywood has lied to me!!! :D

[@Truck_person]

He should have a talk with the black airforce pilot who says helicopters explode on the slightest touch

[@stevenbartels969]

I cant believe Dakata didnt say, "cool down, spool down", during the review.

[@dcpack]

Why? Who says that?

[@stevenbartels969]

@KLR-Zoomie Dakata says that on every engine shut down. I flew with him for several years, he is a great guy and pilot.

[@57113]

Great critic, to do your job you have to well trained and knowledgeable. Thanks for what you do in a rescue platform. Also enjoy your sense of humor 😅. Definitely come back and educate and entertain us as well. Many thanks from Canada 🇨🇦 😊

[@zikri1705]

I served with this guy back 09...very humble and bravemen like me

[@aurelius7778]

I love when all the channels do these. Its like bring your parent to school day to talk about their career lol.

[@walterdl2904]

Good job young man. You have brought back fond memories of my younger days 50 years ago. When I was an instructor in HT 18 the Coast Guard students were generally some of the best, and never the worst. BTW You had the most rewarding missions; SAR and medevac. To fly is heavenly but to hover is divine.

[@jonathangreene4223]

Fantastic interview. You can tell that he knows his stuff.

[@ironicstompin4880]

The dunker training is a wild ride. Helped my dad teach this and got to participate, best time in a pool ever.

[@PepperDog76]

As someone that’s seen a lot of helicopters on TV and movies, and has actually built, not one, but two Lego helicopters, I rate his review an 11/10. From my expert opinion.

[@Oakshield2]

"I don't know why nobody wears NVGS" - It's to show the face of the actors. Same thing in a lot of movies where someone's supposed to be wearing a mask or helmet. They'll do it for a tiny bit and then it's off or up to show faces.

[@bostonrailfan2427]

that’s an unintentional benefit but they were really removed for visibility reasons: they were useless with sheets of rain making visibility impossible…

[@koalabrownie]

I like when the people they bring on are willing to be more critical.

[@IsaiahSenku]

I love they way this guy explains the terminology, learned a lot from this!

[@gerardmeadows626]

Coast guard?!? Where are his googles?

[@dcpack]

What?

[@gerardmeadows626]

@@dcpack it's a reference to Nikko Ortiz videos of the branches

[@JoshuaTootell]

I always get a chuckle out of stereotypes. I spent more time in the middle east, and definitely more time at sea than a lot of people I knew in the Navy ​@@dcpack 🤣

[@arohk1579]

I always liked the rescue from Top Gun, the way the swimmer went in and the Helo moved away is how I've seen it done.

[@Andrew-nr4ju]

Bro where's the Pilot *The Pilot* : 🏃🚶🧎🤸🧗

[@808melz]

Do a rescue swimmer next!

[@davidle7864]

Should tell you something about Hollywood when Baywatch is one of the more realistic scenes reviewed

[@RevanAlaire]

The Rescue is a great movie, but I am a bit surprised they settled for the opening scene instead of some of the actual rescue diving scenes.

[@cornmole]

Didn't U.S. Coast Guard use Baywatch as a recruitment tool so they used actual footage of Coast Guard training missions to enhance realism and promote recruiting?

[@tsepheletseka5115]

He gave the rescue scene in San Andreas a 0. That was hilarious 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@Sophtine]

Love when people are who obviously passionate about their field and happy to share their knowledge

[@jamiejune3383]

Dude really said please don't shoot the flare at the helicopter 🤣 like it's happen before

[@hephaestus6365]

I like this guy.

[@msromike123]

LOve this pilot!

[@krissantana4660]

Everything "the Rock" does is cheesy AF.

[@RyanCoomer]

“Rather than love, than money, than fame, give me corndogs”

[@sabertooth207]

This guy looks like a video game character 🤷🏿‍♂️

[@The_Daily_Tomato]

I can't tell if that's an insult or a compliment 😅

[@flatspin7]

Now I know for a fact that the Coast Guard or any service doesn’t train their pilots to deal with a rescue while being chased by a Trex! When Dinosaurs are involved all bets are off! 😂

[@lucastrask2838]

Keep finding great hosts. I love these videos.

[@dallasyap3064]

For the film perfect storm, the Pave Hawk helicopter crashed bcoz it ran out of fuel. Due to the extremely severe weather condition, the helicopter wasn't able to connect its probe to the HC-130's drogue for refueling.

[@AnarexicSumo]

HC130s don’t have in-air refueling. You’re thinking of KC130. Also in the movie they didn’t run out of fuel. That was a change that was made that made it less realistic than what actually happened

[@dallasyap3064]

@@AnarexicSumo HC-130 is also capable of air refuelling. They primarily refuel CSAR helicopters (HH-60s) and other air assets in support to CSAR missions.

[@Smi7h1sH3r3]

dont shoot rescue helicopter with flare, heard!

[@WaterfallWhispering]

A coastie keeping it real! 👏

[@paul-we2gf]

Search and rescue personnel are gutsy people no matter whose service USCG USAF,USN, RCAF, it is. They are inspiring people. Bravo Zulu aĺl.

[@paigesharpe9677]

Another great video! I hope you bring him back

[@stevenyoude6712]

Yeah, Dakata! Nice work...Way to represent!!

[@michaelluong6484]

Bring this guy back!!!

[@wizcorn9958]

They just brought this guy back👍👍

[@JoshuaTootell]

12:30 I got to operate with HITRON on the USCGC Munro. His description is exactly how we got two boats. Both boats had three outboard engines, but once one of the three was shot out the runners gave up. We detained them on the ship, gathered evidence, then sunk the boats.

[@Shuhua1999]

15:42 This part took me out!🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@chrisjohnston4445]

Wait... Nothing about the bit in _San Andreas_ where he banks the helo SIDEWAYS, because the crevasse is narrower than the rotor disc?

[@randomrangoon5476]

The flare is meant to be scene not to be caught lol To even think someone is shooting a flare at their rescue helicopter 🥴

[@dcpack]

From experience I can tell you that happens.

[@rl1271]

I wished he reviewed the helicopter scene from true lies

[@xilefx]

feels like this interview is too much cut down ... let him breathe for one millisecond