US Customs agency request information to upgrade aging helicopter fleet

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency is seeking information and feedback from contractors on how to convert its current fleet of Blackhawk helicopters to the newer UH-60L-Prime model. CBP detailed the helicopter conversion effort in a Request For Information (RFI) document released on Tuesday.

The agency’s Air and Marine Operations (AMO) division currently operates a mixed fleet of Sikorsky H60 Blackhawk helicopters, “several of which are approaching their service life,” the agency said in the RFI document. CBP management has directed replacing aging units within the fleet with lower-time aircraft while simultaneously reducing the disparate aircraft types into a single “Lima” platform to promote fleet standardization and reduce operating costs.

The AMO H60 Blackhawk helicopters are a vital platform used for emergency response, rescue, enforcement, transport, and surveillance. In addition, the newer UH60L-Prime will serve as a force multiplier for law enforcement and emergency personnel by providing rapid-response deployment of equipment, canines, and people.

“AMO seeks a lower time, standardized Medium Lift Helicopter fleet to improve aircraft safety and reliability, improve mission effectiveness, and be more cost-effective to operate and maintain,” the agency said. “These characteristics translate into improved operational effectiveness and enable AMO to provide expeditious, effective, and reliable support.”

The plan is to fully convert 15 UH-60L and two HH-60 aircraft to the UH-60L Prime variant.

The following systems and upgrades are planned to be installed during the modification from a stock U.S. Army UH60L to the CBP variant UH60L-Prime:

• Dual Garmin 750Xi GPS / Comm / Nav units
• Dual Astronautics “Roadrunner” Digital ADI / HSI units
• Garmin 345RT Transponder unit
• TDFM 9300 Secure Mission Radio
• Eagle ICS Router and Audio Panels (6ea).
• Shotover Mission Management / Moving Map system
• Macro Blue Mission Management Display Screen
• L3 ESI-500 EFIS Standby Instrument
• Shadin Dual Engine Fuel Flow System
• Robertson 200 Gallon Internal Auxiliary Fuel Tank System
• FRIES Fast Rope Bar System
• Martin Baker Gunner’s Seats with Floor Pallet
• Outerlink CP3i Satellite Tracking Device
• 406 MHz ELT
• Motorola APX Handheld Radio Cradle
• HEELS Cabin Emergency Lighting system
• Integrated Rescue Hoist Mount system
• Breeze Eastern Electric Rescue Hoist
• Trakkabeam Searchlight system
• Meeker Sponson Mounts and Steps
• Aft Transition Area Avionics Door
• Antenna For New Radios
• Aircraft Paint Per CBP Paint Scheme

Companies interested in supporting the conversion effort are invited to respond to the CBP RFI by Dec. 6. CBP makes it clear the RFI is for “information and planning purposes only and shall not be construed as a solicitation or as an obligation on the part of the government to issue a Request for Proposal or to award a contract.”

German Armed Forces receive first H145M helicopter from Airbus

Airbus Helicopters announced Monday they have delivered the first of up to 82 H145Ms helicopters ordered by Germany at its Donauwörth site. The Bundeswehr (German Armed Forces) have named their new H145Ms “Leichter Kampfhubschrauber” (light combat helicopter), or LKH for short. The helicopter's missions include training, reconnaissance, special forces operations, and light attack.

The first helicopter delivered is dedicated to training operations and will be used at the German Army's Bückeburg base. The first delivery of a “light attack role” LKH is scheduled for 2025. Pilot training started in August.

Signed in December, the contract between Bundeswehr and Airbus Helicopters for 82 helicopters (62 firm orders plus 20 options) is the largest order ever placed for the H145M and consequently the largest for the HForce weapon management system. The contract also includes seven years of support and services. The German Army will receive 57 helicopters, while the Luftwaffe's special forces will receive five.

The H145M is a multi-role military helicopter that provides a broad range of mission capabilities. Within minutes, the helicopter can be reconfigured from a light attack role with axial ballistic and guided weapons into a special operations version with fast rappelling equipment.

The H145M is the military version of the light twin-engine H145 helicopter. The global fleet of H145s has accumulated close to eight million flight hours. The Bundeswehr already operates 24 H145 helicopters for special forces operations and search and rescue missions.

The U.S. Army employs almost 500 helicopters from the H145 family under the name UH-72 Lakota which have clocked more than 1.5 million flight hours.

Military operators of the H145 family are Hungary, Serbia, Luxembourg, Thailand, Ecuador, and Honduras. Recent orders include Cyprus, signing for six aircraft, Belgium for 17, and Brunei for six.

First multi-mission King Air 360CHW delivered to Peruvian Air Force

Textron Aviation announced Tuesday that it has delivered the first of two multi-mission Beechcraft King Air 360CHW aircraft to the Peruvian Air Force. Equipped with a cargo door, the King Air 360CHW is fitted for heavy-weight operation.

The Beechcraft King Air 360CHW is designed and manufactured by Textron Aviation Inc.

“The King Air 360CHW delivered to the Peruvian Air Force for aeromedical evacuation (MEDEVAC) can also execute troop and cargo transport, command and control, and many other missions,” said Bob Gibbs, vice president, of Special Mission Sales. “From the coast and the highlands to the Amazon rainforest of Peru, the versatile King Air is well suited to operate in diverse, austere, remote locations.”

Delivery of a second aeromedical evacuation-equipped King Air 360CHW is expected in 2025.

Wind Creek acquires Birmingham Racecourse in Alabama

Wind Creek Hospitality announced on Monday they have entered an agreement with the McGregor family to acquire Birmingham Racecourse. Wind Creek Hospitality is owned by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, and the McGregor family owns Birmingham Racecourse.

Wind Creek plans to transform the Birmingham Racecourse into a premier entertainment destination in the Southeast and continue to provide parimutuel and historical horse racing games.

"For over 30 years, we have worked to provide the best possible experience for our customers and employees, while generating significant tax revenue for the state of Alabama and local charities," said Lewis Benefield, president of the Birmingham Racecourse and Victoryland. Benefield said the tax revenue supports local schools, hospitals, charities, and other organizations that need financial support.

Benefield said the McGregor family has consistently sought to enhance the gaming and entertainment options at the Birmingham Racecourse, but legislative hurdles have presented challenges.

"The people of Birmingham desire the same types of entertainment offered at other facilities in and around Alabama," Benefield said. "Unfortunately, differing state laws and enforcement actions regarding gaming have limited our ability to compete effectively. The McGregor family will now focus their efforts on Victoryland in Macon County and advocate for unified gaming legislation in Alabama which would capture much-needed revenue for the people of Alabama."

Jay Dorris, president and CEO of Wind Creek Hospitality said the McGregor family built and has operated the Birmingham Racecourse and Casino for decades, “providing great entertainment, attracting tourism, and creating economic growth In Alabama.”

Stephanie Bryan, Tribal Chair and CEO of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, said the tribe has already been heavily involved in the Birmingham area, supporting organizations like the Birmingham Promise, Birmingham Zoo, and many others. Bryan said Wind Creek will make the facility a major economic force for the area by creating more jobs, taxes, and support for the local community.

The sale of Birmingham Racecourse is expected to be finalized by early 2025.

Video: Chairman Jim Allen reviews development of new Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol

Meeting with reporters following the grand opening of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol on Thursday, Hard Rock International Chairman Jim Allen answered media questions surrounding the project's development from an old shopping mall to an entertainment destination.

   

“If we go back, and I say this with great humor to Clyde and Jim, when I first came down, they had signs up in the old Sears building, ‘we’ll that will be the casino.’ And I said I don't think that's going to work. But certainly navigating what we could reuse of the old mall and obviously building this new facility really turned out well. And as Allie Evangelista (President of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol) mentioned, the temporary [casino] certainly has finishes in it as nice as many casinos in the United States. But we certainly were taken to the next level with the entertainment destination. And as I've been working here now, in and out the last three or four weeks, we're pretty happy with what we’ve created.

“In the United States, not just here in Bristol, there's so many abandoned malls. And unfortunately, something that was so popular in the 70s and 80s now becomes some challenge real estate. So to be able to take that amazing geographic location and turn it into a true destination, hopefully thats something that’s very beneficial to the area itself.

“We are incredibly happy with the results of the temporary [casino], they have truly exceeded our expectations. We're privately held [company], so we don't have to say something just to pump our stock. I mean the reality is, we truly are. You need someone who gives hundreds of millions of dollars away. You know, that's pretty unique.

“And we looked more long term about the relationship, not just how much gross money the facility can generate. But we certainly knew Bristol had this amazing legacy that we could build upon, especially not just because of a recent success. But going back to the history of music, and obviously country music. That’s something very important.”

Hard Rock casino grand opening in Virginia attracts visitor from Germany

A visitor from Germany became the first person to check into the new Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Bristol, Va., on Wednesday. The new casino resort held a VIP preview event on Wednesday night and opened to the public on Thursday.

Hard Rock CEO Jim Allen pointed out the German visitor by his first name “Andy” during a grand opening ceremony on Thursday.

“We actually have a special guest in the audience that no one here locally is aware that the individual is here. Where is Andy?” Allen said. Since 1993 Andy has visited over 400 Hard Rock locations around the world, Allen explained. “He flew in especially just for our opening.”

During a media tour on Thursday morning, Hassan Abdel-Moneim, head of Hard Rock hotel operations, confirmed the first guest to check in arrived from Germany.

“Our first guest checked in yesterday,” Abdel-Moneim said. “I wanna say it was at 11:30 a.m. The gentlemen came all the way from Germany.”

The New Resort

Located at 500 Gate City Highway in Bristol, the 620,000-square-foot resort features nearly 1,500 slot machines, more than 50 table games, a sportsbook, 300-plus hotel rooms, and seven unique dining options, including a signature Hard Rock Cafe. The venue also offers a 2,000-plus seat Hard Rock Live, Rock Shop, designated non-smoking and high-limit gaming areas, authentic music memorabilia, and more.

The new location that opened to the public on Thursday started as a temporary casino, simply titled Bristol Casino. It opened in July 2022.

The temporary Bristol Casino welcomed over three million guests, paid over $68 million in gaming taxes to the Commonwealth of Virginia, donated over $960,000 to support local community nonprofit organizations, and paid over $262 million in jackpots.  The project created approximately 900-1,000 construction-specific jobs and is expected to create over 1,400 full-time and part-time jobs.

The grand opening Thursday featured Hard Rock executives and partners.

Bristol Support

"This is such a monumental moment for the Bristol community and Hard Rock," said Jon Lucas, COO of Hard Rock International. "Hard Rock's music heritage is a natural fit for Bristol, the 'Birthplace of Country Music.' We look forward to serving Bristol and the surrounding region with world-class gaming, dining, and entertainment offerings."

"This milestone brings great pride to Bristol," said Jim McGlothlin, chairman of The United Company, and Clyde Stacy, president of Par Ventures. "Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol is creating well-paying jobs and generating new tax revenue across Southwest Virginia, and local businesses in the Tri-Cities region are already seeing increased tourism and spending. None of this would have been realized without the support of Bristol's residents and leaders."

"This is such an amazing day for Bristol," said Allie Evangelista, president of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol. "The support from the Bristol community has been inspirational to our dedicated team, which has worked around the clock to prepare for today's grand opening. We look forward to offering guests Hard Rock's world-renowned amenities combined with Bristol's legendary hospitality and service."

More to Come

The opening weekend celebration continues with concert performances by Blake Shelton on Thursday, followed by Soul Asylum on Saturday. Both events will take place in the new Hard Rock Live entertainment venue.

Hard Rock closing temporary Bristol Casino, full resort opens Thursday

Hard Rock International announced on Sunday that its temporary Bristol Casino will close on Monday at 3 a.m. to make way for the grand opening of the permanent resort on Thursday at noon.

The temporary Bristol Casino opened in July 2022 operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In September, the casino had 905 slot machines and 29 table games available to guests, according to a monthly report issued by the Virginia Lottery office.

“Players club memberships and Unity Points will transfer seamlessly from the temporary to the permanent casino, ensuring continued access to rewards and privileges,” Hard Rock said in their announcement. “The permanent facility boasts more than 620,000 square feet of gaming, entertainment, dining, and hospitality space.”

A grand opening ceremony on Thursday will feature a signature Hard Rock Guitar Smash event and a concert by country music artist Blake Shelton at the new entertainment venue. The facility is located at 500 Gate City Highway in Bristol, Va.

“Hard Rock’s rich history fits perfectly with Bristol’s distinction as the ‘Birthplace of Country Music,” said Jon Lucas, COO of Hard Rock International.

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol will feature nearly 1,500 slot machines, over 50 table games, a sportsbook, a 303-room hotel, and multiple dining options, including a signature Hard Rock Cafe, Council Oak Steaks & Seafood, YOUYU Asian Dining, Constant Grind, and the Marketplace. The facility will also house a Rock Shop, 2,000-plus seat Hard Rock Live, authentic music memorabilia, and much more.