Photo By Senior Airman Ian Caple | Chief Warrant Officer Rohn Legore, helicopter pilot, and Sgt. Pablo Naupari,...... read more read more
WASHINGTON - The airspace surrounding D.C. is restricted and few are permitted to fly in the area. The D.C. Army National Guard aviation unit, the 1/224th Security and Support Detachment based at Davison Army Airfield, Fort Belvoir, Va., is located 15 miles southwest of D.C. and lies within the flight restricted zone. The detachment maintains ten helicopters to include eight UH-72 Lakotas and two UH-60 Black Hawks.
“These helos are the eyes and ears for the general in the event of massive unrest,” stated helicopter pilot Chief Warrant Officer Rohn Legore. “The helos assist in determining where help is needed and respond accordingly.”
The unit played a readiness role for the Presidential Inauguration. Six of their UH-72s are Medevac configured helicopters and stood ready to respond in case of emergency during the inauguration. Two of the UH-72 Lakotas are also photo and video equipped helicopters and assist in directing emergency response.
Supporting the inauguration is not new to the men and women of the 1/224th Security and Support Detachment, but the UH-72 Lakotas are new. The UH-72s arrived at Davison Army Airfield in May 2012 and were put to work right away on border patrol operations before returning to prepare and reconfigure for the inauguration.
“Leading up to and during the inauguration we were in new aircraft,” explained Legore. “This is the most exciting time of my career. The Lakota is a great improvement in technology.”
For the inauguration, the detachment must maintain readiness and be prepared for anything. Readiness and safety go hand in hand as the unit maintains and operates the aircraft.
Helicopter crew chief and mechanic Sgt Pablo Naupari stated, “My job is to make sure the helos are safe to fly. Safety is our top priority.”
| Date Taken: | 01.21.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 01.21.2013 18:25 |
| Story ID: | 100820 |
| Location: | WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, US |
| Web Views: | 713 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, DC Army National Guard aviation in vital location supporting the Presidential Inauguration, by Maj. Heather Bashor, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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