News : National Guard helicopter pilots use Vinton airport for training

A National Guard Black Hawk helicopter makes a training landing in Vinton Thursday.

National Guard helicopters frequently use the Vinton airport for training, said Rick Hadley.

Nearly every day for the past couple of weeks, a National Guard Black Hawk helicopter has left Waterloo for a training mission that included stops in Vinton, said pilot and airport commission member Rick Hadley.

"They're regular visitors; at least once a week normally, and nearly every day for the past couple of weeks," said Hadley "I don't know if they're getting ready for deployment or just flying more because the weather is better. Sometimes we'll have two of 'em here at the same time. They'll frequently come down here, then fly up to Indy for practice there too, before heading home.

The helicopters are fun to watch, said Hadley.

"They practice all kinds of landings, both on and off the runway," he said.