WWII Icon soars in Navy helicopter for her 100th birthday

“I felt like I was going to Heaven, but it wasn’t quite high enough to see my husband.” Said Black, widow of the first ever Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy, Delbert D. Black.

Her original request was a submarine, to which the Navy declined.

Then she asked to fly with the Blue Angels. That wasn’t an option either.

Finally, the Navy agreed that she could celebrate one hundred years of life aboard an MH060R Seahawk.

The Navy behind the birthday

The crew manning the ship named after Black’s late husband, the USS Delbert D. Black, worked with helicopter squadron HSM-40 to grant the 100-year-old’s wish.

Black is no stranger to such heights, as she’s a former member of the Women Accepted for Voluntary Emergency Services (WAVES) during WWII.

To sum up the celebration, Black asserted, “I’m 100 years old. I can do whatever I want.” It’s unsure if she can really do whatever she wants, but she can certainly handle a helicopter ride.

It took around two months after her birthday to get the flight set up, but that didn’t dampen any spirits. One of the pilots on the helicopter, Cmdr. Justin Banz, said of Black “She was smiles and hand waves the whole time.”

Cmdr. Banz also reflected on how the crew felt helping Black. He said “What a treat, especially for the command – the opportunity to see some living history here and not only that, but to recognize her and bring some history back to the command.”

Regardless of whatever comes next for Ima Black, it is sure to be something she can do.