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Copter flight ends Geiger’s military aviation era

Maj. David Caporicci works Monday on a Black Hawk helicopter that will fly out of Geiger Field this morning. (Christopher Anderson / The Spokesman-Review)
By Amy Cannata amyc@spokesman.com
Maj. David Caporicci works Monday on a Black Hawk helicopter that will fly out of Geiger Field this morning. (Christopher Anderson / The Spokesman-Review)

The last Black Hawk helicopter at Geiger Field lifts off this morning, taking with it the Washington Army National Guard’s local aviation unit, which has moved to Fairchild Air Force Base.

The move closes the military aviation era at Geiger, which has been home to National Guard aircraft since 1949.

But it also ushers in opportunities for joint training between the Guard and Air Force.

Such cooperation represents the future of the U.S. military as changing war strategies and the base realignment process push different military branches to work together, said 1st Lt. Clayton Colliton, public affairs officer for the Army National Guard in Spokane.

“It’s a time of reorganization and realignment,” said Colliton, who added that moving the Guard’s aviation unit to Fairchild adds to the assets there, giving it added importance when being considered during federal base realignment discussions.

About 10 Guard members belong to the Washington Army National Guard’s local unit.

They fly their two UH-60 helicopters on in-state missions such as fighting wildfires and supporting Eastern Washington ROTC programs.

They also spent last fall rescuing and helping people stranded by Hurricane Katrina, said Washington Army National Guard Maj. David Caporicci.

“The devastation was unbelievable,” Caporicci said.

He added that he’s looking forward to working more closely with the Air Force and learning more about how they operate.

The Guard unit already works with Fairchild’s survival school, which also uses helicopters.

Spokane International Airport has leased the hangar to the Guard at no charge for years. That lease was set to expire in 2008.

Now the airport can use the hangar for business purposes, replacing Black Hawks with commercial aircraft.

Geiger Field has long been home to military aircraft.

The Air National Guard flew fighter aircraft out of Geiger Field from 1949 to 1976, Colliton said.

In addition to the helicopters, Geiger was also once home to the Washington Air National Guard’s air refueling wing, which is also now at Fairchild.