‘Iron Eagles’ receive first wave of aircraft

Photo By Lt. Col. Deanna Bague | The first set of UH-60 Black Hawks belonging to 1st Armored Division’s 1st Combat Aviation Brigade are lined up at East Bliss outside the unit’s new hangars after their arrival from Fort Hood.  

FORT BLISS, TX, UNITED STATES

07.26.2011

Story by Lt. Col. Deanna Bague 

Fort Bliss Public Affairs Office

FORT BLISS, Texas – Several aircraft including CH-47 Chinooks and UH-60 Black Hawks arrived the last week of July to the new home of 1st Armored Division Combat Aviation Brigade.

The Advance Echelon team’s leadership was present at the hangars when the aircraft arrived.

“In a way it’s closure – finally, the first aircraft arrive – and in another, it’s a fresh start,” said Maj. Lucinda Wilson, the commander of the ADVON.

Wilson said everyone has been working hard for the past year to prepare the facilities, systems and processes to receive the aircraft and all the personnel arriving at Fort Bliss for the Combat Aviation Brigade.

Capt. Randall Markham, a pilot, is currently assigned to 4th CAB, 4th Infantry Division, which is scheduled to reflag under 1st CAB, 1st AD. Markham, who flew one of the incoming helicopters, said this was his first time at Fort Bliss. He said he was impressed with 1st CAB’s footprint and believes the state of the art complex will facilitate the transition to the Southwest Desert.

“The facilities to maintain the aircraft through maintenance and through all the aviation support, not just internally in our unit, but the contractors and everything else – I understand that they have very nice facilities here that will provide for that support,” said Markham. “Additionally, as far as training goes with the mountains and everything, that will add a new level to our training that we don’t have available at Fort Hood.”

Traditionally in Army aviation, said Wilson, the shops work outside of the hangar out of sets instead of being integrated into the hangar.

Wilson said the Corps of Engineers and everyone involved in the construction took best practices and unit recommendations to the highest levels, and that resulted in the revolutionary structures.

“We are lucky to be able to see truly good ideas come to fruition in these hangars,” said Wilson. “Everyone who’s seen the facilities, [both] the aviators, who have very little experience in the Army in the aviation arena, and those with tremendous amounts of experience, are very pleased with these facilities. They are cutting–edge, world class.”

• Date Taken: 07.26.2011
• Date Posted: 08.06.2011 01:50
• Story ID: 74938
• Location: FORT BLISS, TX, US