UH - 60 Black Hawk Helicopter
 Two Kentucky Army National Guard Black Hawk helicopters A History of the Black Hawk Helicopter & Its Service In The Kentucky Army National Guard
From program dated 9 August 2003 for the 20 year anniversary of the UH-60 Black Hawk in the Kentucky Army National Guard The UH-60 Black Hawks were first deployed by the US Army in 1978. The first UH-60 Black Hawks assigned to the National Guard went to Kentucky on January 31, 1983. The first unit to receive them was the 2113th Aviation Maintenance Company, later to become Company F, 135th Aviation.
Since 1983, Black Hawks have become a familiar sight in the Commonwealth, fighting forest fires in eastern Kentucky, performing critical airlift missions during winter storms and floods, along with missions as diverse as supporting fish and wildlife surveys and aviation education efforts. Most notably, Kentucky law enforcement agencies have received extensive support from Black Hawk crews in the statewide counterdrug mission.
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About the UH-60 Black Hawk |
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The UH-60 Black Hawk is the Army's front-line utility helicopter used by air assault, air cavalry, and aero medical evacuation units. It is designed to carry 11 combat-loaded, air assault troops, and it is capable of moving a 105- millimeter howitzer and 30 rounds of ammunition. First deployed by the US Army in 1978, the Black Hawk's advanced technology gives Army Aviation capabilities it never had before. In addition, modified versions of the UH-60 operate as command and control, electronic warfare, Search and Rescue, and Special Operations platforms. The Kentucky Army Guard currently fields 15 Black Hawks.
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Kentucky Army National Guard Black Hawk deployments include: |
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- Hurricane Hugo, the United States Virgin Islands (1989)
- Disaster Relief Support, Rhode Island (1995)
- Hurricane Fran, North Carolina (1996)
- Operation New Horizons, Ecuador (1998)
- Operation New Horizons, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (2002)
- Supported 7th Special Forces, JRTC, (1999);
- supported SEAL TEAM 4 training 1999-2002
- Supported Special Warfare Training Center at FT. Bragg, NC on 2003 for ROBIN SAGE Exercise (Phase IV of Special Operations Qualification Course)
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Special achievements: |
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- 20 Years with over 31, 000 Black Hawk hours flown
- 30 Year Lindbergh Award for accident free flying
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