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Native Sun News: Army to celebrate arrival of 'Lakota' helicopter
Friday, January 21, 2011
Filed Under: National

The following story was written and reported by Lance Alan Schroeder. All content © Native Sun News.

UH-72 Lakota is a twin-engine helicopter with a single, four-bladed main rotor. The UH-72 is a militarized version of the Eurocopter EC145 and is built by American Eurocopter division of EADS North America. Initially marketed as the UH-145, the helicopter was selected as the winner of the United States Army’s Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) program on 30 June 2006. In October 2006, American Eurocopter was awarded a production contract for 345 aircraft to replace aging UH-1H and OH-58A/C helicopters in the Army and Army National Guard fleets.

RAPID CITY, SOUTH DAKOTA — Soldiers from the South Dakota Army National Guard’s aviation community and members of the Lakota Nation will be celebrating the arrival of the state’s newest helicopter, named “Lakota” by the U.S. Army, at a ceremony scheduled to be held at the Crazy Horse Memorial on May 14, 2011.

Several UH-72A “Lakota” Light Utility Helicopters, the newest aircraft in the U.S. Army’s inventory, will begin arriving later this spring to Delta Company, 1st/112th Security and Support Battalion. Soldiers in this newly-forming SDARNG aviation unit will utilize the Lakota’s non-combat capabilities to conduct their primary mission of medical transportation of the sick and wounded.

“In addition to the ceremony being held at Crazy Horse, the SDARNG is sponsoring two design contests to commemorate the Lakota’s arrival,” said Master Sgt. Kelly Moore, the senior aviation maintenance non-commissioned officer with the South Dakota National Guard’s Joint Force Headquarters.

“The first contest is for students in grades eight or lower to design several posters, using the Lakota culture and the helicopter as the theme,” Moore said. “The second contest is for adults and students of grade nine or higher, with the winning design being used as the official unit patch worn on the uniform of all Delta Co. Soldiers,” he said.

Moore said he is confident that the Lakota’s mission, and the contests leading up to its arrival, will help to foster continued unity between the state’s civilian population and its uniformed service members.

“The hope is to create opportunities within the Lakota Nation, as well as a stronger bond between the Lakota Nation and the South Dakota National Guard,” he said. Moore explained that during times of emergency, Soldiers flying the Lakota would be ready and available to help everyone who lives within the state.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Capt. Michael McDaniel at (605) 737-6104, Master Sgt. Kelly Moore at (605) 381-3123 or e-mail: moorekl@live.com or go to www.crazyhorsememorial.org.

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