Black Hawk Helicopter Finds Home in Fargo - Valley News Live - KVLY/KXJB - Fargo/Grand Forks

The Army National Guard is now home to a Black Hawk helicopter, a rare sight in the city.

Typically most of the helicopter presence in North Dakota has been stationed in Bismarck, but state leaders saw a need to change that. 

That gives Fargo a number of new opportunities. The obvious opportunity is that the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter has been and will continue to be used in flood fighting efforts.

Last year in Minot was a classic example. Crews were dropping sandbags into crisis areas and removing people from dangerous situations. State leaders actually credit the helicopters for saving much of the state from serious flood damage.

State leaders have come to rely on these choppers to bring a different perspective of flooding. Governor Jack Dalrymple says, "There's no way to look at a flooding river other than from above."

This new addition will hopefully add a different perspective of eastern North Dakota as well. Major General David Sprynczynatyk, North Dakota's Adjutant General, says, "We will have a tremendous capability to support the communities to support the counties, to support the people."

It will give pilots an opportunity for recruitment. "So many people have to drive so far to fly, to get their flight time in," says Major Paul Helten, a Black Hawk pilot.

Sprynczynatyk adds it will be used to help "carry out training missions, carrying out real-life missions to support search and rescue, and emergency response and will provide the capability to transport."

It is a way for the Army National Guard to live up to its motto "Always Ready, Always There."

"There's no question that what we are recognizing today and what we are embarking upon today will allow us to continue to be "Always Ready, Always There," says Sprynczynatyk.

Fargo hopes to add two more Black Hawks in coming years. Fargo and Bismarck will also be sharing two other helicopters on a rotational basis.

The Air National Guard and Army National Guard in North Dakota make up about a third of all air force capabilities, total personnel and operating forces nationwide.