Expect to See More Blackhawk Helicopters Over Billings, Montana

Why are Blackhawk helicopters flying over Billings, Montana? What is going on? That's what some were asking Friday night (especially in the wake of THIS news).

Our friends in Billings will be happy to hear that you can expect to see Blackhawk helicopters a lot more often in the skies above Billings- and not just Blackhawks. (Some people were freaking out on Friday in the wake of the big China spy balloon that was hovering over Billings earlier in the week)

Just under three weeks ago the Montana National Guard announced the exciting news that aviation assets will now operate out of Billings Logan International Airport. Starting Friday January 21st, 2023 the Montana Army National Guard began "operating helicopters full time from a leased hanger southwest of the Logan International Airport. This Limited Army Aviation Support Facility will manage up to six helicopters, including UH-60 Blackhawks, CH-47 Chinooks, and LUH-72 Lakotas." This was according to a press release sent out by the Montana National Guard on January 18th.

For the men and women serving in the Guard, this is great news.

With some of the MT Army National Guard's aviation assets now in Billings, that means those soldiers from Central and Eastern Montana that are assigned to the facility in Billings don't have to drive all the way to Helena for drill weekend. (I'm speaking as someone who used to be in the MT Army National Guard)

This is also a very prestigious "get" for the City of Billings and Yellowstone County.

While most of the helicopters and aviation personnel will remain in Helena, the Billings facility will employ a team of 14 full-time and 90 part-time soldiers "to support training and real-world rescue helicopter missions."

Why were helicopters flying over Billings Friday night?

I got a hold of Master Sgt. Michael Touchette, who is a spokesman for the Montana National Guard Public Affairs Office. He told me, "Flight operations confirmed that we had training flights scheduled on Friday night. This was drill weekend for most of Montana’s Guard units."

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Source: Expect to See More Blackhawk Helicopters Over Billings, Montana