A method and assembly for aligning airflow modifying elements on a rotor blade is disclosed. The airflow modifying assembly may be mounted onto a suction side surface or a pressure side surface of the rotor blade. Further, the airflow modifying assembly includes an alignment structure having a chord-wise extending face that may be fixed relative to the rotor blade at a predetermined position. The airflow modifying assembly further includes a first base having a root end, a tail end having an interconnecting profile, and a first plurality of airflow modifying elements. The root end is aligned with the chord-wise extending face such that the first base extends span-wise along the rotor blade. Additionally, the airflow modifying assembly includes at least one second base having a connector end with a complementary interconnecting profile and a plurality of airflow modifying elements, wherein the connector end is coupled to the tail end.