Illinois Army National Guard receives new UH-60V Black Hawks

The Illinois Army National Guard has received a fleet of new UH-60V Black Hawks as part of testing for the new model. The aircraft have been assigned to the 106th Aviation Regiment, stationed in Kankakee and Decatur.

The Illinois Army National Guard is the first National Guard subdivision to receive the new V model Black Hawks, and offer greater situational awareness compared to older models.

“We’ve upgraded from analog to digital technology,” said Chief Warrant Officer Herb Stevens, the Illinois National Guard’s Army Aviation Support Facility #2 Commander. “The UH-60V gives us a moving map on board for situational awareness. It has been a needed upgrade for a while, and this is the latest and greatest.”

“The Illinois National Guard was selected to do this testing for the entire Army. We’re the only operational unit in the Army that has these aircraft right now. We have two testing events coming up that will help determine if this aircraft is adequate for rest of the Army,” Stevens added.

The Illinois National Guard will trial the new Black Hawks on behalf of the army

During the testing phase, air crews perform instrument and tactical flights to obtain data to ensure that the V model is meeting standards and warfighting principles.

Almost 60 aviators will need to be trained to operate the new fleet, which will require a six-week qualification course to operate the previous UH-60M model, followed by a two-week training support plan to qualify for the operation of the UH-60V.

So far, the Illinois Army National Guard has around 15 aviators fully qualified to fly the UH-60V, with around 30 qualified for the UH-60M.

“We partnered with Army Operational Test Command, Eastern Army Aviation Training Center, and other various organizations throughout the Department of the Army to ensure the success of the V program,” said Lieutenant Colonel Jason Celletti, the Illinois Army National Guard’s State Aviation Officer.