The 160th, from Fort Campbell, Ky., was using the airport as part of its high-altitude training maneuvers.
“We are the Army’s only special operations helicopter unit,” Kim Laudano, public affairs officer for the 160th, said Friday. “Our job entails flying in all conditions. In Fort Campbell, we really don’t have any mountain ranges. Coming out to your area gives us the opportunity.”
 Four Chinook helicopters arrived in Montrose earlier this week. Fresh out of rehabilitation (Boeing), the Army was conducting high altitude testing for four days. (Courtesy Photo) Advertisement |
Laudano said the bulk of the 160th’s training is being conducted at Fort Carson, in Colorado Springs. Unit members are logging required flight time between the Montrose airport and Fort Carson.
“It’s the most beneficial location for us because of the training that we’re doing,” she said of the airport.
The training operations are standard, Laudano added, and have nothing to do with the upcoming Democratic National Convention in Denver. “This is absolutely routine for us,” she said.
The Chinook helicopters at Montrose were rehabilitated from the ground up and had new cockpits installed.
Laudano said they are uniquely configured for special operations. “We are the only ones in the Army who fly them. They’re designed to support special operations ground forces,” she said.
“They’re really quite amazing helicopters,” Jeanette Andries, assistant airport administrator, said.
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