Wyoming National Guard Aviation Recognized for Top Readiness Rankings
The Wyoming Army National Guard’s Army Aviation Support Facility has been recognized for its high operational readiness, ranking second in the nation for the 2024 fiscal year and securing the top spot for the first quarter of fiscal year 2025, DVIDS reports.
This achievement is credited to optimized work schedules, a dedicated maintenance team, and a focus on crew readiness, according to Maj. Lauren Gurney, commander of Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 211th Aviation Regiment, and facility commander.
“Our Soldiers are the foundation of our success,” Gurney said. “We’ve been able to implement optimized work schedules that maximize maintenance windows and flight training periods, allowing us to maintain high aircraft availability and ensure our crews are always ready.”
The Wyoming Army Guard Aviation unit plays a crucial role in both state and federal missions, including search and rescue operations. By improving scheduling and efficiency, the unit has enhanced its response time by 22% over previous years.
“Our 24/7 coverage capability ensures that our crews are well-rested and prepared to serve as a sword and shield for the state,” Gurney explained. “This improvement in response time directly contributes to our effectiveness in time-sensitive situations.”
Sgt. 1st Class Keith Snipes, production noncommissioned officer in charge at the Army Aviation Support Facility, highlighted the use of the Army’s Aircraft Notebook system to track aircraft maintenance and availability. This system has contributed to the unit achieving a 94% operational readiness rate—14% above the Department of the Army’s standard for National Guard units.
Maintaining such high levels of readiness comes with challenges, including budget constraints and the risk of personnel burnout. To address this, the unit has adopted a team-based approach, rotating crews and maximizing training periods to ensure sustainability.
Col. Dane Rodgers, state Army aviation officer for the Wyoming Army Guard, emphasized the unit’s comprehensive risk assessment process. Before each mission, pilots and aircrews conduct detailed reviews of crew conditions, weather, and mission specifics to ensure safety.
“Our risk assessment process is continuous, from mission receipt to execution,” Rodgers said. “This helps us mitigate risks and prioritize both readiness and crew safety.”
Aircraft maintenance and crew accountability have played a significant role in the unit’s success. Spc. Paxton Hunt, an aircraft mechanic and crew chief, stressed the importance of teamwork and preventative maintenance.
“Everyone here takes ownership of their assigned aircraft, which fosters a strong sense of responsibility,” Hunt said. “Routine inspections and major overhauls keep our aircraft in peak condition.”
While earning a top ranking is a major accomplishment, Gurney stressed that the unit’s long-term priority remains operational safety and effectiveness.
“Our priority is always the safety of our crews and aircraft,” she said. “While achieving a high operational readiness ranking is significant, our true success lies in ensuring that every Soldier returns home safely after every mission.”
