An aircrew with the 1st Battalion, 106th Assault Helicopter

An aircrew with the 1st Battalion, 106th Assault Helicopter Battalion of the Illinois National Guard operates a CH-47 Chinook helicopter July 26, 2019, at Sparta-Fort McCoy Airport at Fort McCoy, Wis., after refueling the helicopter. Three Chinook helicopters from the battalion were completing heavy helicopter operations in support training operations on post. The CH-47 is the Army's only heavy-lift cargo helicopter supporting critical combat and non-combat operations, according to the Army fact sheet on the helicopter. The CH-47 has an empty weight of 24,578 pounds and a maximum gross weight of 50,000 pounds. The helicopter also can lift intra-theater payloads up to 16,000 pounds in high/hot environments. (U.S. Army Photo by Scott T. Sturkol, Public Affairs Office, Fort McCoy, Wis.)