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News from the Oklahoma National Guard

NEWS | Feb. 4, 2025

Heavy maintenance operations keep OKGuard Black Hawks mission-ready

By Spc. Danielle Rayon

01:29
VIDEO | 01:29 | Heavy maintenance operations keep OKGuard Black Hawks mission-ready

Helicopter repairers performed heavy maintenance on the Oklahoma National Guard’s UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters at the Army Aviation Support Facility in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Dec. 17, 2024.

The Black Hawk mechanic’s function is essential to maintaining the performance and safety standards of the aircraft, and includes performing inspections and replacing faulty parts. Their job is an integral part of successfully carrying out missions such as disaster relief and counter-drug operations.

“As a Black Hawk mechanic, our daily duties usually consist of visual inspections,” said Sgt. Chad Hill, a flying crew chief/helicopter repairer assigned to Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 244th Aviation Regiment. “It’s very seldom that something does break, but when it does, we jump right into action and we’ll get that bird fixed.”
Video by Staff Sgt. Reece Heck
First Army Division West Ready to Host "Best of the West" Best OC/T Competition
145th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
April 8, 2025 | 1:57
13 teams of the best Observer Controller/Trainers (OC/T) from First Army Division West are facing off to see who will come out as the “Best from the West”, kicking off the 2025 First Army Division West General Omar N. Bradley Best Observer Coach/Trainer Competition (BOC/TC) held at Camp McGregor, New Mexico, April 7-9, 2025. (U.S. Army video by Staff Sgt. Reece Heck)

CG Information:
Voice Over-
Command Sgt. Maj. Vincent Simonetti
division command sergeant major for First Army Division West

B-Roll provided by:
Spc. Anthony Ackah-Mensah
145th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

Sgt. John Stoner
145th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

Spc. Danielle Rayon
145th Mobil Public Affairs Detachment

Staff Sgt. Elliot Kim
145th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

Staff Sgt. Reece Heck
Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

Edited by:
Staff Sgt. Reece Heck
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