Lakota Light Utility Helicopter Debuts at Fort Indiantown gap

HARRISBURG, Pa., July 17 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Eastern Army National Guard Aviation Training Site introduced the Lakota Light Utility Helicopter to the public today for the first time at Fort Indiantown Gap.

Fort Indiantown Gap will be home to the only Army aviation training site in the country that’s designed specifically to train the Lakota (UH-72A) aviators and crew members.

The UH-72A is designed to conduct light general support operations in non-combat environments, like civil search and rescue, personnel recovery, evacuation, counter-drug and limited civil command and control operations for Homeland Security.

“The two Lakotas are the first in Pennsylvania and at the training site,” said Col. Timothy Hilty, commander of the Eastern Army National Guard Aviation Training Site. “Two more are due to arrive by the end of the year and the school house is expected to receive a total of eight by 2012.”

Instructors from Fort Rucker and Fort Indiantown Gap are already leading the first training course.

Pennsylvania’s Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Jessica Wright, said locating the new school house for training pilots will benefit Pennsylvanians in more ways than one.

“Our training site has a history of providing excellent training and those who will operate the Lakota are sure to receive the best training possible,” said Wright. “We will also have the ability to use the aircraft during emergencies, and the additional soldiers training here are sure to have an economic impact in the state.”

CONTACT: Capt. Cory P. Angell

(717) 861-8829