More Changes Set for Ft. Bliss, 1st Armored Division

There are major changes on the way to Fort Bliss that will no doubt alter El Paso’s skies.

Over the next few months, nearly 3,000 soldiers from the 1st Armored Division’s new Combat Aviation Brigade will relocate at Fort Bliss, bringing with them more than 100 of the Army’s best helicopters.

Among the aircraft El Pasoans can expect to see in the air over the Borderland by the fall on almost a daily basis are the AH-64 Longbow Apache attack helicopters, the heavily-used UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters and the massive double-rotor CH-47 Chinooks.

The rather loud Chinooks are also called “The Big Windy.” They are about the size of a Greyhound bus, flying through the air.

Fort Bliss has been preparing for the arrival of of the 1st Armored Division’s Combat Aviation Brigade, which consists of pilots, mechanics and ground support personnel, for several years. According to Fort Bliss officials, more than $300 million in aviation facilities, including hangars, barracks and motor pools, have already been built in advance of the brigade’s arrival.

“This is a first to have this size of an aviation unit at Fort Bliss,” said Major Myles Caggins, spokesperson for Fort Bliss. “Currently we get our helicopters from White Sands Missile Range, so this will add tremendous capability to support our training and prepare units for deployment overseas.”

And that’s not all they’ll add. They’ll also add a lot of noise El Paso’s skies.

“El Pasoans should know that there will be an increase in aviation activity, which will add a little bit to the noise,” Caggins said. “however, we make the best consideration to plan routes that don’t impact with students while they’re in school or families while they are sleeping.”