US Army
7 May, 12The Hawaii Army National Guard today dedicated its two new UH-72A Lakota helicopters at the Guard’s Aviation Support Facility No. 2 in Hilo. The Lakota helicopters have replaced the older model OH-58 Kiowa helicopters. The Lakota is the Army’s most modern Light Utility Helicopter. Hawaii is one of the first states to receive the new rotary-wing aircraft manufactured by American Eurocopter. The helicopters will be maintained and flown by the soldiers of Detachment 2, Company B, 3/140 Aviation Regiment.
The mission of the detachment will be to provide aerial command and control, surveillance and reconnaissance, and search and rescue capabilities. It is equipped with video equipment that can see in infrared and its communications suite is compatible with civil authorities such as fire fighters and police. It is also designed to be able to medevac injured patients to a hospital.
The UH-72A provides the Hawaii National Guard with much greater capabilities to support civil authorities during times of natural disasters or to help county fire fighters and police locate missing people in remote locations. It has two engines and can fly from Hilo to Lihue without having to refuel. It can remain on station for up to three hours.
Pastor Charles Kama provided the blessing and benediction over the aircraft at today’s ceremony. The helicopters were transported to Hawaii from the manufacturing plant about two weeks ago via U.S. Air Force C-17 aircraft.
Related Posts
- AW139 tech pubs now available on tablets and smart phones
- US corporate operator signs for two AW139s
- Kestrel Aviation Orders Two More AgustaWestland AW119Ke
- LCI signs for 10 more new AgustaWestland helicopters
- Conklin & de Decker and NATA to hold annual Aviation Tax Seminar
- French Prime Minister visits Eurocopter at Paris Air Show
- GrandNew Full Flight Simulator to Rega and fully Swiss-certified
- Turkey’s Alp Aviation to provide warehousing and distribution of Sikorsky parts
- Denel Aviation to expand Mi-8 / MI-17 South African service centre
- Erickson Air-Crane amends Credit Facility to Increase Capacity
- Rockwell Collins launches HeliSure™ product line for helicopters
- Saint-Gobain Aerospace to supply Bell 525 nose radomes
- Bell and Turbomeca provide details of new working relationship
- Bell provides 525 Relentless program update
- Bell announces Turbomeca-powered JetRanger replacement
- Thales helps Romanian Navy expand Puma ASW capability
- Japan Coast Guard increases S-76D order to 11
- September launch for Sikorsky’s Training Academy in Oklahoma
- Nirma Group Takes Delivery of a Second GrandNew
- Elbit launches Directional Infra-Red Countermeasure system for small helicopters
