Pennsylvania National Guard's Eastern Army National Guard Aviation Training Site received the first fielding of UH-60V Black Hawk helicopters.

The Pennsylvania National Guard's Eastern Army National Guard Aviation Training Site (EAATS) received the first fielding of UH-60V Black Hawks from the Utility Helicopter Program Office (UHPO) on July 27.

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A UH-60V Black Hawk helicopter is secured after being flown to Fort Indiantown Gap, Pa., on July 27, 2021. The Pennsylvania National Guard’s Eastern Army National Guard Aviation Training Site received the first fielding of UH-60V Black Hawks from the Utility Helicopter Program Office (Picture source: Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Keeler)

The UH-60V helicopter was developed with a focus on overhauling the aging UH-60A/L fleet. The "V" model includes an upgraded digital glass cockpit, certified GPS RNAV database and advanced flight planning and mission capability.

"The improved UH-60V airframe provides the Army National Guard enhanced capabilities better to support the multi-domain battlefield of today and tomorrow," said Col. Joseph Bishop, the Army National Guard's Aviation and Safety Division chief. "We are excited to have our aviators start in this new, modernized helicopter for the Army, and what better place to start than here in Pennsylvania at EAATS."

EAATS has collaborated with the National Guard Bureau; UHPO; Directorate of Evaluations and Standardization; Army Capabilities Manager-Lift; Directorate of Training and Doctrine; and Army Test and Evaluation Command to develop a holistic training support package that will enable units to conduct local training to qualify aviators in the UH-60V.

UH-60V Black Hawk helicopters are powered down and secured after being flown to Fort Indiantown Gap, Pa., on July 27, 2021. (Picture source: Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Keeler)

"With six total UH-60V aircraft, EAATS will provide initial qualification in a 'train-the-trainer' fashion," said Lt. Col. Tim Zerbe, Pennsylvania's state Army aviation officer. "This process enables unit instructor pilots, standardization pilots and maintenance examiners to get trained and then take that knowledge back to their units to train others."

EAATS is a U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command-accredited institution of excellence located at Fort Indiantown Gap's Muir Army Airfield. It conducts individual aviator qualification training, enlisted aviation training and non-commissioned officer professional development. EAATS's utility helicopter mission is focused on UH-60M/V training for aircraft mechanics and crew members from the Army National Guard, active-duty Army and Army Reserve, and foreign militaries, as directed.