The 244th Aviation Brigade received the first of its most modern aircraft, the HH-60M MEDEVAC Blackhawk, at Company F, 7th Battalion, 158 Aviation Regiment Fort Carson, CO, February 12, 2010. The aircraft will provide comprehensive medical care from the injury site while in route to a distant hospital.
Its state-of-the-art onboard medical systems include environmental control (air conditioner), oxygen generating system, and in route medical care such as suction, patient vital monitors and an external rescue hoist to be used in areas where a landing cannot be accomplished. The HH-60M is capable of carrying up to six litter patients or six walking wounded, has a range of 275 nautical miles, and can cruise at 150 knots per hour.
“I have never flow an aircraft as smooth or as solidly built,” said Chief Warrant 5 Randy Sinischo, HH-60M Pilot in Command.” Anyone interested in the MEDEVAC field could do no wrong in joining one of the new reserve MEDEVAC companies. Army Reserve Aviation has now one of the elite MEDEVAC units with the fielding of the new HH-60M model aircraft.”
Chief Warrant 4 Dan Youngerman, HH-60M Pilot, has also had the opportunity to fly the new aircraft.
“The avionics suite is awesome... with twin GPS/Inertial Navigation systems linked to a moving map display and flight director all this real-time information is at the pilot's finger tips,” Youngerman said. “It significantly enhances crew situational awareness while decreasing work load.”
When the aircraft arrived with the 7th Battalion, 158 Aviation Regiment it only had 10 flying hours. The experienced pilots approve and recommend the qualities of this aircraft and are excited about the influence it will have on patient transport. The smoother ride and technology on the aircraft will decrease the probability of additional injuries.
“The HH-60M Blackhawk is the largest single line item expenditure that Lt. Gen. Jack C. Stultz, commanding USAR, and the Army Reserves made this year,” said Col. John Gallagher, 244th brigade commander. “The maiden flight of an aircraft that will be a part of saving many soldiers lives in the future is noteworthy to those that fly DUSTOFF and those that commit to leaving no soldier behind.”
