Only about a fourth of Missouri National Guard helicopters are ready to fly. The current chopper fleet dates back to the Vietnam War. The Guard’s top man, Army Major General John Havens, says the airframes are obsolete. He says the Guard will get new helicopters once Congress comes up with $411-million to make the replacement. Havens admits the Guard’s helicopter fleet is not mission ready right now, but the soldiers and airmen will use what is available. He says in a pinch the Guard can borrow helicopters from other states.
