SALEM, Ore. — A fleet of HH-60M Black Hawk helicopters are positioned at the Salem Army Aviation Support Facility, ready to respond to any number of contingencies throughout the state. Whether it is fighting fires, or responding to missing hikers, or preparing for overseas missions, Sgt. 1st Class Zachary Pickett knows first hand that readiness is essential to the mission.
For more than 18 years, Pickett has held a number of jobs working full time with the Oregon Army National Guard, starting first with the 2nd Battalion, 641st Aviation Regiment, flying in a Black Hawk as a medic. Along the way, he has worked in finance at Joint Force Headquarters and currently as a readiness noncommissioned officer assigned to Alpha Company, 1249th Engineer Battalion.
