On-line press kit: Media photos
The following images highlight the delivery and presentation of EADS North America’s first two UH-72A Lakota Light Utility Helicopters to the U.S. Army National Guard. These aircraft were received by the Mississippi National Guard on June 2, followed by their official presentation on June 7 at Tupelo Regional Airport.
(Note: the following photos are provided for use by the news media without restriction. For any other use, contact Guy Hicks or Lawrence Stein at EADS North America: 703 236-3300. By e-mail: webmaster@uh-72a.com).
Photo credit: ©EADS North America 2008
Arriving from the UH-72A’s production facility in Columbus, Mississippi on June 2, the initial two Lakotas for the Mississippi Army National Guard prepare to land at Tupelo Regional Airport, where they will be based with the 1-114 Security & Support Battalion. |
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These initial two Army National Guard UH-72A are assigned to the 1-114 Security & Support Battalion of the Mississippi Army National Guard, which performs homeland security, counter-drug and other operations from its base at Mississippi’s Tupelo Regional Airport. |
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UH-72A Lakota deliveries currently are averaging three to four helicopters per month. The first two aircraft received by the Army National Guard were the 28th and 29th UH-72As delivered on time, or ahead of schedule, by EADS North America. |
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Army National Guard units will be the primary operators of UH-72As, ultimately receiving 200 of the total 345 Lakotas planned for acquisition through 2017. Deliveries to the National Guard began with the initial two aircraft received by Mississippi’s 1-114 Security & Support Battalion. |
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The UH-72A provides a modern helicopter for use in the Army National Guard’s state and national homeland security missions, and its introduction will enable the retirement of aging OH-58 and UH-1 rotary-wing aircraft. |
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One of the two UH-72As for the Mississippi Army National Guard hovers in front of the Army Aviation Support Facility at Tupelo Regional Airport. The Mississippi Army National Guard will eventually receive eight of the new Lakotas. |
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The new UH-72A Light Utility Helicopters will round out Mississippi National Guard’s aviation inventory that already includes six CH-47 Chinooks, 12 UH-60 Blackhawks, eight AH-64 Apaches, nine OH-58As, nine OH-58Ds, and four UH-1 Hueys. |
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EADS North America’s first two UH-72As for the Mississippi National Guard arrived at Tupelo Regional Airport on June 2 after a delivery flight from the helicopter’s production facility in Columbus, Mississippi. |
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Members of the Mississippi Army National Guard took the opportunity to inspect the first two UH-72A Lakotas following their ceremonial unveiling June 7 at Tupelo Regional Airport’s Army Aviation Support Facility. |
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The initial two UH-72As were displayed inside the Tupelo Airport’s Army Aviation Support Facility for their official handover to the Mississippi Army National Guard on June 7. These were the 28th and 29th UH-72As delivered by EADS North America. |
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Following their arrival at Tupelo Regional Airport, the Mississippi National Guard’s “MSNG” designation was added to the UH-72As’ vertical tail fins. Army National Guard units will receive 200 of the 345 Lakotas planned for acquisition through 2017. |
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- For additional information on the UH-72A’s delivery to the Mississippi Army National Guard, see the June 7 press release.
- Our Feature story has more information on the UH-72A Lakota’s unveiling ceremony with the Mississippi Army National Guard.