How a new Black Hawk helicopter will benefit the New Mexico Army National Guard
NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – The New Mexico Army National Guard (NMARNG) received a new helicopter that is expected to improve its response to medical incidents and make for safer flying.
The HH-60M Black Hawk helicopter is MEDEVAC (Medical Evacuation) specific and was recently brought to New Mexico right off the assembly line. “The aircraft itself has a medical-grade oxygen generator, has a medical suction device built in, and then there’s power available to plug in other essential medical equipment for patient care,” said Chief Warrant Officer 3 Anita Guderjohn, senior instructor pilot and survivability officer, assigned to Golf Company, 1st Battalion, 168th Aviation Regiment.
The helicopter can also transport up to six patients instead of four, which was the maximum patient capacity in the older Black Hawk helicopters the NMARNG utilized.
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Another key feature is the improved HVAC system that benefits all individuals onboard. “The aircraft, we like it, it has air conditioning and heat to keep us comfortable, but primarily for the patient, so that treating patients with hypothermia shock, or heat exposure, we have air conditioning and heat available for them,” Guderjohn explained.
When it comes to increasing safety for pilots and crew, the helicopter offers a new digital instrument panel, an autopilot feature, and improved technology that monitors the weather. “One feature that we’re super excited about is the storm scope. This gives us real weather updates based on lightning strikes and cells that are building that could affect us based on our flight paths,” said Capt. Christopher Otero, commander and Black Hawk pilot, assigned to Golf Company, 1st Battalion, 168th Aviation Regiment.
The digital instrument panel will give crews a real-time readout of the helicopter’s performance. “It’s going to give us an integrated aircraft health monitoring system that helps us with maintenance to diagnose issues problems and to get solutions based on the information,” Otero added.
Guderjohn said those three features can help crews navigate New Mexico’s mountainous terrain and other difficult conditions.
The New Mexico National Guard is scheduled to receive eight more HH-60M Black Hawks in the future, according to Chief Warrant Officer 5 Charles Boehler, the state’s command chief warrant officer and Black Hawk pilot.
The new helicopters are a long-awaited addition to the NMARNG’s fleet. “We got the newest black [helicopter] model in 1998. So getting this upgrade and these capabilities right now is extremely humbling, and we’re excited to begin training,” said Otero.
