Three Black Hawk Helicopters Will Eventually Call Fargo 'Home'

Backed by the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, state, local and military leaders announced an expansion of North Dakota Army National Guard aviation assets in the state Thursday. The event took place at the Jet Center's south hangar, the new Fargo home of the rotary winged aircraft. Also on display was the UH-72 Lakota helicopter. "The North Dakota National Guard does an outstanding job serving communities across the state, and this expansion of aviation assets to the east will ensure that the Guard is even better prepared to respond to emergencies and natural disasters in the eastern part of North Dakota," said Gov. Jack Dalrymple.

Initially, one Black Hawk with four full-time crew members will work from the site, and a Lakota and OH-58 Kiowa may operate there on a rotational basis with Bismarck. Army National Guard aviation assets have operated from Bismarck since 1958. Two additional Black Hawks are expected to call Fargo home by 2014, when an anticipated medical detachment with nearly 30 personnel should be added. "The operational footprint of aviation in North Dakota continues to grow, which will be advantageous to not only the training opportunities for our Guardsmen but, more importantly, to the benefit of our communities and state," said Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, North Dakota adjutant general.

Black Hawks were used extensively across the state during flooding in recent years, transporting troops and equipment, providing an aerial view of the breadth of flooding for strategic decision makers, and strategically placing one-ton sandbags on areas where levees were eroding, most notably at Oak Grove School in Fargo and Clausen Springs Dam in 2009 and in Minot in 2011.

More than 125 flight hours were logged during 2009 flooding, and another 50 hours in 2010 and 85 in 2011. North Dakota Guardsmen also have used Black Hawks to support firefighting efforts in other parts of the country, and continue to train for potential response in the state. Congressman Rick Berg and Fargo Mayor Dennis Walaker also spoke of the benefits the state will see by having dual operating locations for the helicopters.

The Black Hawk has a range of more than 300 nautical miles with a cruising range of 150 knots. It can carry 11 combat-equipped personnel or provide medical evacuation support for ambulatory and litter-bound patients. Although North Dakota Army National Guard aviation assets are new to Fargo, the North Dakota Air National Guard has been flying from Fargo since 1947. The 119th Wing's flying missions include the C-21 Lear jet and MQ-1 Predator.

(Black Hawk image from file)

FMI: www.ndguard.ngb.army.mil