Email   Print   Share By Pfc. Carl Havlik, 166th Avn. Bde., Div. West Public Affairs

Facebook Digg Delicious June 24, 2010 | News

Soldiers from the 166th Avn. Bde. pull canvas over a tent frame during construction of the Longhorn Airfield expansion at North Fort Hood May 27. Pfc. Carl Havlik, 166th Avn. Bde. Public Affairs

The 166th Aviation Brigade has overcome state regulations and other obstacles to improve and develop the Longhorn Airfield at North Fort Hood.

Two years ago, a better way to train mobilizing aviation units at Fort Hood was considered. But the consensus at that time was that too many problems stood in the way.

Regardless, the project is nearing completion. One of the challenges to the airfield’s expansion was dealing with the remains of a World War II P.O.W. camp. Getting permission to build on the site was complicated.

“We had to go through Civil Affairs of the state of Texas and find out if any artifacts had been left behind,” Phil Melton, North Fort Hood officer for the 166th Aviation Brigade, said. “Any artifacts that we dug up during the process we had to turn over to the state.”

Also, Longhorn lacked adequate facilities to mobilize a unit and accommodate its aircraft. So a 73-acre expansion was begun that included pads to house the aircraft.

Construction began last year in August. Soldiers of the 166th Aviation Brigade were tasked to help with construction. Instead of participating in morning PT, troops left the air-conditioned First Army West building and erected tents beneath the hot sun. Construction was completed in record time.

“Projects like this take anywhere from five to seven years to complete, and we were able to get it done in time for the first mobilizing units to arrive,” Melton said.

The first aviation unit to be trained at the new Longhorn Airfield expansion arrived June 11.

Before the airfield expansion began, Soldiers of the 166th travelled to installations nationwide to conduct mobilization trainings. Now they stay close to home and family members while conducting training for the Army’s aviation brigades.