UW Army ROTC Cadets to Participate in Flight Lab March 6

Members of the University of Wyoming Army ROTC Cowboy Battalion will participate in a flight lab that will involve helicopters flying around and landing on the UW campus Wednesday, March 6, from 3-6 p.m.

The event will provide an Army Aviation Branch brief to inform UW Cowboy Battalion cadets of the capabilities of the Aviation Branch. Cadets, along with UW senior leaders and educators, will participate in 10-15-minute flights in UH-60L Blackhawk helicopters to learn about the capabilities and mission of the Wyoming Army National Guard and its command aviation company, located in Cheyenne.

“This is a great opportunity to provide a unique experience to the UW leaders, educators and cadets from the UW Cowboy Battalion Senior Army ROTC Program,” says Lt. Col. Paul Hanson, professor of military science at UW. “Events like this showcase the important missions and capabilities of the Wyoming Army National Guard and the Army Aviation Branch -- one of 17 different branches cadets compete for. These cadets are dedicated to serving the nation and making a difference in the world, and it all starts right here in Laramie.”

Depending on the number of aircraft available to support the event, approximately 60 cadets and five UW senior leaders and educators are expected to participate, Hanson adds.

The event also will provide the UW Police Department (UWPD) with data demonstrating the validity of the helicopter landing zones in conjunction with the UW Emergency Response Plan.

“In addition to supporting the success of ROTC students, this event serves as a unique opportunity for the UWPD to evaluate aspects of our emergency operations plans,” says Josh Holland, UW police chief. “While we hope we would never need to implement such plans, having them validated is critical and significantly enhances response and recovery during significant events.”

For more information, call the UW Army ROTC Program at (307) 766-3390 or email armyrotc@uwyo.edu; or call the UWPD at (307) 766-5179 or email uwpd@uwyo.edu.