New York Army National Guard Welcomes New State of the Art Helicopters to Fleet

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UH-72A Lakota Light Utility Helicopter

LATHAM, NY (06/29/2012)(readMedia)-- The New York Army National Guard will hold a ceremony Monday, July 2, to welcome two UH-72 Light Utility Helicopters to the fleet of rotary wing aircraft operated by its Army aviation units. The new helicopters were purchased specifically to be used in domestic operations in aid of law enforcement or during state emergencies.

WHO: Major General Patrick Murphy, the Adjutant General of New York, Col Mark Burke, New York Army National Guard State Aviation Officer, Soldiers and aviators of the New York Army National Guard.

WHAT: Roll-Out Ceremony to introduce the two new UH-72 "Lakota" helicopters which have been assigned to the New York Army National Guard to the leadership of the National Guard and local officials. NOTE: For technical reasons the helicopters will not fly during the event but members of the press will be able to inspect the new helicopters. Video footage of the UH-72 can be downloaded from the Defense Visual Information Distribution system here:

http://www.dvidshub.net/video/111893/ngb-j32-counterdrug-uh-72a-lakota-helicopter-part-1

And here:

http://www.dvidshub.net/video/111894/ngb-j32-counterdrug-uh-72a-lakota-helicopter-part-2

WHEN: 11:30 a.m. , Monday, July 2, 2012

WHERE: Army Aviation Support Facility, 330 Old Niskayuna Road, Latham NY 12110

For media access to this secure military facility, contact the NY National Guard Public Affairs Office at 786-4581.

Coverage Opportunities:

Reporters can collect video and imagery of the ceremony and an enjoy an opportunity to inspect the new helicopters. Helicopter pilots Chief Warrant Officer Charles "Chuck" Rodd and Chief Warrant Officer Aaron Teichner will be available to discuss the advantages of the new helicopters as will senior New York Army National Guard leaders.

UH-72A Lakota Helicopter

The UH-72A Lakota is the newest helicopter to enter service with the U.S. Army. It is a variant of the Eurocopter EC-145 and is manufactured in Columbus, Miss. The Lakota performs light utility and medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) missions for the Army and Army National Guard (ARNG) in areas outside a combat zone.

A contract was awarded to EADS North America in June 2006 for 345 of this versatile aircraft. As of July 31, 175 helicopters have been delivered with the ARNG operating over 80 aircrafts. The UH-72A is also unique in that it is a commercial/non-developmental item aircraft that is maintained and operated in accordance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) policies and procedures.

The UH-72A is replacing aging UH-1 and OH-58A/C aircraft that are a high cost to maintain and operate for these missions. It allowed the Army to return 23 UH-60 Black Hawk aircrafts to support critical wartime missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Lakota provides a significant improvement over the aircraft the ARNG were operating through better performance, availability and mission equipment.

Seating capacity of the Lakota is for two pilots and six passengers. Two stretchers can be installed for MEDEVAC missions with a crew of four: pilot, co-pilot and two medics. The helicopter's large cockpit and cabin windows provide excellent visibility through all quadrants.

The Army, working with its industry partners, designed, integrated and tested the Security & Support (S&S) Battalion Mission Equipment Package (MEP), the newest variant of the LUH for the ARNG and is equipped with state-of-the-art advanced technologies such as an Electro-Optical/Infra-Red Sensor, searchlight, data display and collection systems and downlink capability. It will be used to conduct humanitarian and disaster relief efforts as well as other key missions such as border patrol and counter-drug enforcement surveillance across the U.S. and its territories. All equipment added to the UH-72A is commercially available and expedites the acquisition time.

New York's two UH-72 aircraft were picked up from the EADS North America factory in Mississippi on June 15, at which time they were taken to Huntsville Alabamafor training on the Mission Equipment Package (MEP) which ended on June 29.

One of the new helicopters will be deployed to the Southwest Border in the full as part of a National Guard mission to augment the Border Patrol.