adopted unit, events

Treated to a tour of Army Aviation Support Facility #2

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Aang tour 1

On March 12th , we made a visit out to the new Army National Guard Aviation Unit stationed at Pangborn Memorial Airport, also known as Army Aviation Support Facility #2 (AASF-2). We were greeted by Captain Taylor Payne and Chief Warrant Officer (CW4) Cody Eastman of Charlie Co., 1st Battalion, 112th Aviation.

Group picture in front of a UH-72 Lakota helicopter with Captain Taylor Payne of Charlie Co., 1-112th Army Aviation Support Facility #2 (AASF-2) located at Pangborn Memorial Airport.
A UH-72 Lakota helicopter prepares to depart Pangborn Memorial Airport for a training mission.

The unit numbers about 75 soldiers on drill weekend duty, and maintains a core of about 15 permanent officers and NCOs that work and live here in the Valley. The aviation unit flies UH-72 Lakota helicopters in support of their mission to support DEA, Homeland Security, and firefighting operations.

We were also able to view a Lakota as it was undergoing a Phase Inspection to check for wear & tear of components and air worthiness. Sergeant Julia Akova, who is a mechanic for the helicopters, briefed us on what she does to maintain these critical assets for the Army and local agencies. 

Sergeant Julia Akova talks about maintaining and repairing the UH-72 Lakota helicopters stationed at Pangborn.
Chief Warrant Officer (CW4) Cody Eastman, an instructor pilot with the Guard Unit, talks with VFW members about what kind of background and training is required to become a helicopter pilot with the Army Guard

Some additional photos shared from attending members:

Group of people gathered around a helicopter in a brightly lit hangar.
US ARMY printed on the tail of the helicopter.
View of inside the helicopter from below the tail.
Pilots inside the helicopter navigating the mechanised platform out onto the flightline.

After the insightful tour, we had our Quarterly Luncheon at the Olive Garden in East Wenathcee with 17 Post and Auxiliary members in attendance. Everyone enjoyed the chance to gather and share a meal.

VFW Luncheon at the Olive Garden following the Army National Guard tour.