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Old 07-02-2019, 10:16 AM
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Arrow Montana Army National Guard seeks helicopter facility near Billings airport

Montana Army National Guard seeks helicopter facility near Billings airport
By: MATT HOFFMAN | Billings Gazette, Mont. | Published: July 2, 2019
RE: https://www.stripes.com/news/army/mo...rport-1.588503

Photo link: https://www.stripes.com/polopoly_fs/..._900/image.jpg
A Montana Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk. Photo by: SENIOR MASTER SGT. ERIC PETERSON/U.S. AIR NATIONAL GUARD

BILLINGS, Mont. (Tribune News Service) — The Montana Army National Guard is eyeing land near Billings Logan International Airport for a new helicopter maintenance facility.

Military planners presented the idea to Yellowstone County Commissioners on Monday, who gave the concept a warm reception.

It’s still early in the planning process. The Guard would purchase the land from Billings Flying Service, a private facility that has a buy-sell agreement in place to purchase land west of their current facility, and then plans to sell it to the Guard. The project would then require environmental assessments and public comment, which would likely take at least a year.

“This isn’t a done deal,” said Rich Lamach, a master planner for the Montana Department of Military Affairs' Construction & Facilities Management Office.

The initial project would take up 20 acres, but could expand over time to about 100 acres.

The first aviation maintenance building would be constructed over a 6-8 year time frame, Lamach said.

That first facility would likely employ about five full-time personnel and host twice-monthly training for about 50 guard members. It would be built for about six helicopters. Subsequent facilities would be added on their own 6-8 year time frames, Lamach said, and the overall facility would like have at least a 70-year lifespan.

Al Blain of Billings Flying Service said his company would likely rent out hangar space and could contract for maintenance in the future.

He said his company has expanded from about a dozen full-time employees five years ago to about 115 now.

"The growth rate has been just astronomical," he said.

Commissioners praised the concept, framing it as a potential economic boon for the county.

They also said they didn't anticipate concerns, despite nearby residents previously expressing concerns about noise from the Blains' helicopters in the past.

Commissioner Don Jones referenced his time in Helena as a legislator, and said that people didn't complain about aircraft noise from a nearby military facility.

"This is a great win for Yellowstone County if it comes together," he said.

©2019 the Billings Gazette (Billings, Mont.)
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Boats

O Almighty Lord God, who neither slumberest nor sleepest; Protect and assist, we beseech thee, all those who at home or abroad, by land, by sea, or in the air, are serving this country, that they, being armed with thy defence, may be preserved evermore in all perils; and being filled with wisdom and girded with strength, may do their duty to thy honour and glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

"IN GOD WE TRUST"
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