The U.S. Army’s 101st Airborne Division, based in Fort Campbell, Ky., was in route to do a “fly over” during the Army-Navy game in Baltimore when they hit ice over Wyoming County. The company was grounded for three days, lodging at Twin Falls Resort State Park. The company included 29 members, with a female pilot and support staff, Black Hawk Air Assault helicopters, AH-64 Apache Attack helicopters and one CH-17 Chinook support helicopter.
BECKLEY, W.Va. — While the helicopters created a lot of noise, literally and figuratively, the reason for their presence in Wyoming County was very simple. They hit ice Tuesday morning and were temporarily grounded.
The U.S. Army’s 101st Airborne Division, based in Fort Campbell, Ky., was in route to do a “fly over” during the Army-Navy game in Baltimore.
“The battalion was forced down over Wyoming County because of ice,” noted Silas Mullins, commissioner.
“They sighted Kee Field, landed and contacted Billy Joe Cooper, airport director, who contacted me. And, the rest, as they say, is history,” Mullins joked.
The company included 29 members, with a female pilot and support staff, Black Hawk Air Assault helicopters, AH64 Apache Attack helicopters and one CH-17 Chinook support helicopter, Mullins noted.
Mullins immediately began to implement plans to house and feed the company. He arranged accommodations and daily transportation. He also conducted a tour of the county for the military personnel.
“According to Lt. Col. (Bernie) Harrington, none of his company had ever been in West Virginia,” Mullins said. “The hospitality shown them, blowed them away.
“The Twin Falls (Resort State Park) staff were extraordinary…
