NY Guard gets 2 new Lakota utility helicopters | News

LATHAM, N.Y. (AP) - The New York Army National Guard is adding two new state-of-the-art light utility helicopters to its fleet.

The new UH-72A "Lakota" helicopters were purchased specifically to be used in domestic operations in aid of law enforcement or during state emergencies. Top Army National Guard brass will be at the Guard's aviation facility in Latham this morning for a roll-out ceremony.          

The UH-72A Lakota It is a variant of the Eurocopter EC-145 and is manufactured in Columbus, Miss. It performs light utility and medical evacuation missions for the Army and National Guard in areas outside a combat zone.          

The UH-72A is replacing aging UH-1 "Huey" and OH-58 "Kiowa" aircraft that are expensive to maintain and operate.

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