SPECULATOR, NY (11/30/2010)(readMedia)-- Two New York Army National Guard UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters helped out the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Monday, Nov. 29 by airlifting parts of a helipad to the top of Wakley Mountain here.

The two helicopters, based at Army Aviation Support Facility #3 at the Albany International Airport, carried 2000 pound, pre-fabricated helipad components to the top of the mountain by sling-loading them under the aircraft. The mission provided the aviators a chance to train on sling-loading in mountainous terrain, explained New York Army National Guard Chief Warrant Officer Charles Rodda.

"After DEC crews cleared the area of debris and overgrowth, all of the reconstruction material was air lifted in by state aviation, but the platform beams were too heavy," said DEC conservation operations supervisor Ron Andersson. " Asking the National Guard for assistance was our only choice."

The helipad was originally placed there to provide access to a fire tower last used by the DEC in 1988 and a radio repeater. The new helipad will provide access to a radio repeater placed on top of the mountain and allow ease of access to the fire tower which is now a destination for hikers.

The 3,750 foot- high mountain, which offers 360-degree views of the Adirondack Park, is part of the Blue Ridge Wilderness and is 8.2 miles from Blue Mountain Lake

Photo Cutlines:

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WAKELY MOUNTAIN, N.Y. -- A UH-60 Blackhawk from Army Aviation Support Facility 3 based in Latham airlifts pre-constructed platforms for the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) on Nov. 29 at this remote area of the Adirondack Mountains. The airlifted platforms will allow the DEC to eventually construct a helipad as well as a repeater radio station on top of the mountain that will be used by the DEC and other state agencies. Each platform weighed more than 2000 pounds and were constructed in Colorado and flatbed delivered to the Adirondacks.

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WAKELY MOUNTAIN, N.Y. -- A UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter from Army Aviation Support Facility 3 based in Latham prepars to airlift pre-constructed platforms for the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) on Nov. 29 at this remote area of the Adirondack Mountains.The airlifted platforms will allow the DEC to eventually construct a helipad as well as a repeater radio station on top of the mountain that will be used by the DEC and other state agencies. Each platform weighed more than 2000 pounds and were constructed in Colorado and flatbed delivered to the Adirondacks.

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WAKELY MOUNTAIN, N.Y. -- New York Army National Guard Aviation Soldiers from Army Aviation Support Facility 3 based in Latham prepare to be hoisted down into a forest clearing to assist New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) workers on Nov. 29 to place airlifted platform sections at the top of Wakely Mountain.The airlifted platforms will allow the DEC to eventually construct a heli-pad as well as a repeater radio station on top of the mountain that will be used by the DEC and other state agencies.Each platform weighed more than 2000 pounds and were constructed in Colorado and flatbed delivered to the Adirondacks.

Photos by Sgt. 1st Class Steven Petibone, 42nd Combat Aviation Brigade

Posted Tuesday November 30, 2010 at 04:44 pm by New York State Division of Military & Naval Affairs
Last Updated Monday December 06, 2010 at 07:54 am