Army Aviators Drop in for Tour of VLA

By Dave Finley · March 02, 2018

UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter at the Very Large Array

As part of a training event, the U.S. Army’s C Company, 3rd Battalion, 501st Aviation Regiment, Combat Aviation Brigade, First ArmoredDivision, based at Fort Bliss, Texas, made a stop at the Karl Jansky Very Large Array on February 20. Arriving in five UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters, they landed and met NRAO staffers for a guided tour of the radio telescope facility. The Army personnel learned about the scientific work and the technology of the VLA, and in turn answered many questions from NRAO personnel about their aircraft and their experiences in serving our nation. The training exercise was the last flight for their company commander, Capt. Chloe Flores, before her retirement from active duty. Following the tour, the aviators provided an impressive show as the five powerful helicopters lifted off and departed the VLA site.

5 UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters land at the VLA

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The National Radio Astronomy Observatory is a facility of the U.S. National Science Foundation operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc.
	Founded in 1956, the NRAO provides state-of-the-art radio telescope facilities for use by the international scientific community. NRAO telescopes are open to all astronomers regardless of institutional or national affiliation. Observing time on NRAO telescopes is available on a competitive basis to qualified scientists after evaluation of research proposals on the basis of scientific merit, the capability of the instruments to do the work, and the availability of the telescope during the requested time. NRAO also provides both formal and informal programs in education and public outreach for teachers, students, the general public, and the media.
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