New Guard helicopters will aid search, rescue

The Guam Army National Guard received two helicopters over the weekend.

This marks the first time aircraft have been part of the military unit's assets, said Maj. Josephine Blas, public affairs officer for the Guard.

"This rebalancing of military assets, more specifically of army aviation assets will benefit Guam and the nearby islands because we're increasing our local capacity to assist in the search for missing swimmers and fishermen on Guam in the nearby islands," Gov. Eddic Calvo said in a release.

The UH-72A helicopters were reassigned on June 5 to Guam courtesy of the U.S. Air Force's 21st Airlift Squadron, 60th Air Mobility Wing based in Travis Air Force Base in California.

"The arrival of the Army Guard aircraft is historic. It not only shows the growth and maturity of the Guam National Guard, but also the competence of our soldiers to contribute to the island and nation," said Brig Gen. Roderick Leon Guerrero, adjutant general for the Guard. "This increases the Guard's ability to provide support to the governor in response to search and rescue and natural disasters."

Local aviators and medics are expected to begin operations next year, according to a joint release from the governor's office and the Guard.

The release states the aircraft will provide approximately $23.2 million annually in salaries, equipment, facilities, training, operations and maintenance, and transportation.

The aircraft, which are capable of land search and rescue, will be used for medevac operations and support for homeland security and during natural disasters, the release states.

The Guard's aviation team will be going through a nine- to 12-month certification process before it is able to operate the aircraft, the release states.

The aircraft will be temporarily housed at Andersen Air Force Base until construction of a housing facility at the Guard Readiness Center in Barrigada is complete, Blas said.

The Guam Guard's first two pilots — Warrant Officers Brian F. Enderes and Sarah M. Uchida — began flight school in November 2013 at Fort Rucker, Alabama, according to the release. Other enlisted soldiers also began training on other skill sets required to operate the aircraft.