WARREN, Ark. – Those gathered at the Warren Municipal Airport, John B. Frazer, Jr. Field, Friday morning could hear the deep, rhythmic rumble long before the helicopters appeared. The unmistakable sound of twin CH-47 Chinooks echoed across the horizon, announcing the arrival of U.S. Army pilot Torrey Callum on his final flight home.
Callum, a 1991 graduate of Hermitage High School, returned to Bradley County in powerful fashion — concluding a 30-year aviation career, much of it spent with the Army National Guard. The two Chinooks approached at roughly 725 feet, and as they descended, the force of their massive propellers sent waves of grass and dust spiraling across the field before touching down around 11:15 a.m.
Family, friends, and local leaders gathered to welcome him home and celebrate his distinguished service. His farewell flight began at Fort Hood, Texas, included a refueling stop in El Dorado, and ended at the Warren airport, where a proud hometown crowd awaited his arrival.
Among those greeting Callum were Bradley County Judge Klay McKinney, Sheriff Herschel Tillman, Warren Mayor Gregg Reep, and State Representative Jeff Wardlaw. Mayor Reep presented Callum with an official City of Warren lapel pin, recognizing his decades of dedication and service.
After departing Warren later that afternoon, the two Chinooks made one last pass over downtown Warren and Main Street around 2 p.m., circling low in a final salute to Bradley County before heading back south.
Though Callum will not be residing in the area following his retirement, he told those gathered he plans to return soon — this time for a much quieter pursuit: deer hunting.
The powerful sight and sound of the Chinooks framed a moment few at the airport will forget — a fitting end to a remarkable career, at last, back home to where it all began.
