Twin-Rotor Copters Arrive For New Fort Carson Unit

FORT CARSON, Colo. (AP) — Three Chinook helicopters have been delivered to Fort Carson for a new combat aviation brigade.

The Army says the CH-47D Chinooks were transferred from the 1st Combat Aviation Brigade at Fort Riley, Kan., this week.

Fort Carson will be the home of the 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, which will have up to 2,700 soldiers and 113 helicopters. The unit is expected to be activated in April.

Construction to accommodate the brigade will cost a total of about $730 million.

Chinooks are twin-engine, twin-rotor helicopters that can lift up to 19,500 pounds. They can carry up to 33 soldiers as passengers or two Humvees. They require a three-member flight crew.

(© Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)