Butts Army Heliport
Mission
The primary mission for Butts Army Heliport is to provide fully integrated fixed base helicopter operations and support for all Army aviation assets assigned to, or training on Fort Carson.
Heliport operations and services include Base Flight Operations, Control Tower/Ground Approach Control Facility, USAF weather, Heliport Safety, Airspace Management, Flight Simulator, Rapid Refuel Facility, and Crash/Fire/Rescue station. The heliport has an FAA approved instrument approach. The heliport also provides UH-60 A/L, Longbow Crew Trainer, Aviation Combined Arms Tactical Trainer and AH-64 Synthetic Flight Training Systems for all Fort Carson aviation units and specific National Guard.
Heliport Security Restrictions
Heliport Security Restrictions
Butts Army Heliport is a RESTRICTED AREA. The heliport is fenced, gated and patrolled 24 hours a day. Access is limited to official business. Entry is controlled by Base Operations. Visitors and passengers must contact operations for access. Escorts will be provided on request. POV's are not authorized. Military vehicles require prior permission for entry. All government vehicles require flight line passes. Vehicles are not authorized on the flight line except with qualified drivers.
Maximum speed on the heliport is 25 mph. Security will challenge all unauthorized or suspicious individuals and vehicles. Units using any portion of the perimeter, roads, or adjacent training areas within the fence line must have written permission. Report to operations for a briefing by Flight Dispatch and clear with operations upon exiting. Call 719-526-3935 for more information.
Services
Services
What we do...
- Maintain heliport to DOD and Federal Aviation Administration standards
- Provide quality service to include ATC, flight dispatch, weather and transient operations
- Coordinate heliport activities
- Ensure compliance with National Air Traffic and Airspace program
- Operate SFTS to maximum capabilities
- Accomplish active safety program
- Support tenant units and other agencies
- Create safe air and ground operations
- Protect the environment and support the local community
- Coordinate emergency services assist security force
- Prepare for contingencies and emergencies
- Maintain strength, sustain equipment
- Input service orders and work orders for heliport-specific equipment and pavements
Contact information
Contact information
Emergencies | 911 |
Heliport Manager | 719-526-2017 |
Safety Office | 719-526-9513 |
Flight Dispatch/Operations/ PPRs | 719-526-3935 |
Operations Officer | 719-526-8966 |
Air Traffic and Airspace | 719-526-8662 |
Coordination for Hot Point or cold fueling (G3 Air) | 719-503-0508 |
Flight Simulator | 719-526-0143 |
Weather Office (WX) | 719-526-3620 |
Noise Complaints | 719-526-9849 |
History
History
Named after John E. Butts
- Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army, Co. E, 60th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division.
- Medal of Honor awarded posthumously
- Place and date: Normandy, France, June 14, 16 and 23, 1944.
- Entered service at: Buffalo, New York
- Born: Medina, New York
- G.O. #: 58, July 19, 1945.
2nd Lt. Butts heroically led his platoon against the enemy in Normandy, France, on June 14, 16 and 23, 1944. Although painfully wounded on June 14 near Orglandes and again on June 16 while spearheading an attack to establish a bridgehead across the Douve River, he refused medical aid and remained with his platoon.
A week later, near Flottemanville Hague, he led an assault on a tactically important and stubbornly defended hill studded with tanks, antitank guns, pillboxes and machinegun emplacements, and protected by concentrated artillery and mortar fire. As the attack was launched, 2nd Lt. Butts, at the head of his platoon, was critically wounded by German machinegun fire. Although weakened by his injuries, he rallied his men and directed one squad to make a flanking movement while he alone made a frontal assault to draw the hostile fire upon himself. Once more he was struck, but by grim determination and sheer courage continued to crawl ahead. When within 10 yards of his objective, he was killed by direct fire.
By his superb courage, unflinching valor and inspiring actions, 2nd Lt. Butts enabled his platoon to take a formidable strong point and contributed greatly to the success of his battalion's mission.
After the war, Butts' remains were brought back from Normandy to the United States in 1948 and interred at St. Mary's Cemetery In New York. In 1957 the Army airfield at Fort Carson, Colorado, was named the Butts Army Airfield.
More about the post itself
In early 1949, landing an aircraft at Camp Carson was extremely hazardous. A bumpy dirt strip on the edge of the post was the only facility available. Dust often decreased the visibility to zero. Appropriations in the fall of that year allowed for the bulldozing of a new dirt strip and construction of a small wooden operations shack. However, aircraft maintenance had to be done in the open and the wind still made landing and taking off hazardous. As a result of the uncertain conditions at the Carson strip, the first Army aircraft operated by post personnel were based in a single hangar at Peterson Field.
In 1954, air operations were moved to an area now in NCO housing. Winds of 60 knots or better were common, making the approach over the hospital complex extremely tricky. There were no hangars either. When high winds came up, trucks had to be parked beside the aircraft to protect them.
Two years later, air operations were again relocated, this time to a mesa strip adjacent to today's Butts Army Airfield. There was one building on Mesa Air Strip, but it was dilapidated. Eventually a T-shaped pre-fabricated hangar was constructed; but by the time it was completed, it was already obsolete.
Appropriations for modern improvements were made in the fall of 1963. Three years and nearly $3 million later, Butts Field was a modern airfield.
The Butts Army Heliport aviation facility is featured at Fort Carson and was designated a heliport in 2022. The facility was constructed from 1963-1966 and primarily supports helicopters, for which it features panoptic helipads. The facility also features a 4,500- foot (1,371.6 meter) long runway which was completed in 2016, designated for helicopter and unmanned aerial system (UAS) use. Heavier fixed-wing military aircraft operate from the nearby Peterson Space Force Base.