The words "Army aviation" usually conjure up images of helicopters, laden with troops.

However, the fixed-wing C-12 Huron is an unsung workhorse of cargo and personnel transport within the Army.

Joint Base Lewis-McChord Regional Flight Center has two C-12s available as air assets for Soldier or cargo transport.

Operational Support Airlift Command's commanding officer, Capt. Rana Korynta, said aircrews are prepared to take on multiple mission roles and destinations.

"We carry all Soldiers - all ranks," Korynta said.

Huron pilots average 20 to 25 hours of flight time per month, she said.

Operational Support Airlift Command at JBLM Main is made up of both Army National Guard and active-duty personnel.

One of the unit's pilots, Chief Warrant Officer 4 Thomas Wall, said aviators look forward to taking on a variety of missions.

"We're here for you," Wall said. "Our pilots are ready to take on any mission we're handed."

The twin engine, 44-foot long C-12 has been in active service with the Army since 1975.

The $6 million C-12 typically has a two-person crew and can seat as many as 13 passengers.

Flight Operations NCO Staff Sgt. Marla Darby said the unit aims to get the word out about what they do and what services they can offer.

"We'd like to show that our assets can do many things of importance," Darby said.

Currently, the most common usage is VIP transport, she said.

The Huron can fly more than 1,200 miles on a single tank of fuel, which can easily put it within reach of many continental United States destinations, Darby said.

Soon, C-12 crews hope to carry a different kind of precious cargo: blood.

"We're hoping to support Madigan Army Medical Center's Armed Services Blood Bank Center with their blood transport," Darby said. "We can help them get the donated blood back quicker for processing."

The Armed Services Blood Bank Center at MAMC is currently the only military blood donor center in the Pacific Northwest and is supported by 18 donor centers across the region.

ASBBC Director Major Angel Colon said they look forward to having access to the C-12 transports.

"We're drawing the blood to save lives," Colon said. "Eighty percent of our blood comes from mobiles going out to different locations."

Time is of the essence when it comes to blood collection.

Once collected, the blood has to be processed within eight hours to preserve its safety and usability, he said.

"We want to make sure we put out the safest product," Colon said.

ASBBC collected more than 600 units of blood last month alone, he said.

The blood center plans to use the C-12 transport for the first time toward the end of the month during a blood drive at Whidbey Naval Air Station on Whidbey Island.

"It's great to have the C-12 available for our mission," Colon said. "Time is critical for our needs."