DEFENDER is the Army’s largest annual opportunity to exercise moving personnel and equipment into theater across modes for initial and follow-on operations critical to Large Scale Combat Operations. Led by U.S. Army Europe and Africa, the exercise focuses on the strategic deployment of CONUS-based forces, employment of Army Prepositioned Stock and follow-on exercises demonstrating lethality and interoperability with Allies and partners

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Video by Cpl. Danielle Rayon
Heavy maintenance operations keep OKGuard Black Hawks mission-ready
Oklahoma National Guard
Jan. 21, 2025 | 1:29
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.”

CG INFO

00;00;15;02
Sgt. Chad Hill
Flying crew chief/helicopter repairer
Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 244th Aviation Regiment, 90th Troop Command, Oklahoma National Guard

00;00;31;23
Spc. James Dunkle
Helicopter repairer
Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 244th Aviation Regiment, 90th Troop Command, Oklahoma National Guard
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