The first UH-72A for B Company, 12th Aviation Battalion of the Army Air Operations Group (AAOG), makes a flyby of Davidson Army Airfield during the Lakota’s formal welcoming ceremony and hangar ribbon cutting at Fort Belvoir, Virginia on August 11, 2010.

Download (5.34 MB)

Four of the eight UH-72As for B Company, 12th Aviation Battalion, arrived at Fort Belvoir in July 2010 from the Lakota’s production facility in Columbus, Mississippi.  They will support the Army Air Operations Group in serving the Military District of Washington and Joint Force Headquarters National Capital Region, as well as the regional transport needs of U.S. Army leadership.

Download (5.82 MB)

The UH-72As assigned to B Company, 12th Aviation Battalion are equipped for VIP transportation.  Their cabins are configured to accommodate eight passengers – with three rear-facing seats located behind the cockpit, two forward-facing seats just aft of the helicopter’s side doors, and three seats behind them.  These aircraft also retain the UH-72A’s large rear-fuselage clamshell doors which facilitate easy loading of cargo and equipment.

Download (6.24 MB)

Brig. Gen. William T. Crosby, U.S. Army Program Executive Officer of Aviation addresses 600 guests during the delivery of the 100th Lakota Light Utility Helicopter March 4, 2010 at EADS North America's American Eurocopter facility in Columbus, Miss.  (Seated L to R) Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour; Sean O'Keefe, EADS North America's CEO; and Marc Paganini, President and CEO of American Eurocopter look on.

Download (6.93 MB)

Photo credit: EADS North America

(L to R) Brig. Gen. William T. Crosby, U.S. Army Program Executive Officer of Aviation; Marc Paganini, President and CEO of American Eurocopter; Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour; and Sean O'Keefe, CEO of EADS North America pose for a photo in front of the 100th Lakota Light Utility Helicopter March 4, 2010.  The 100th Lakota was delivered to the Army during a ceremony at EADS North America's American Eurocopter production facility in Columbus, Miss. before 600 Soldiers and guests.

Download (1.87 MB)

Photo credit: EADS North America

Sean O'Keefe, EADS North America's CEO, addresses 600 guests during the delivery of the 100th Lakota Light Utility Helicopter March 4, 2010 at the company's American Eurocopter facility in Columbus, Miss.  (Seated L to R) Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour; Marc Paganini, President and CEO of American Eurocopter; and Brig. Gen. William T. Crosby, U.S. Army Program Executive Officer of Aviation look on.

Download (2.18 MB)

Photo credit: EADS North America

Against the backdrop of the U.S. Capitol, two EADS North America UH-72A Lakota aircraft fly in formation over Washington, D.C. These Light Utility Helicopters are two of eight being delivered to the D.C. National Guard.

Download (4.47 MB)

Photo credit: EADS North America

The D.C. National Guard is utilizing its EADS North America UH-72A Lakota helicopters for a range of aviation support missions in the nation’s capital area, including MEDEVAC (medical evacuation), homeland security, support and logistics.

Download (4.93 MB)

Photo credit: EADS North America

Lakota helicopters delivered to the D.C. National Guard beginning in March 2009 are capable of MEDEVAC missions and will be assigned to the 121st Medical Company (Air Ambulance). In the MEDEVAC configuration, the aircraft can transport two standard litters, a crew chief and a flight medic.

Download (2.54 MB)

Photo credit: Staff Sgt. Jon Soucy

The D.C. National Guard’s eight UH-72As – as well as eight additional Lakotas assigned to the Military District of Washington – are being based across the Potomac River at Davison Army Airfield in Fort Belvoir, Virginia.  

Download (2.43 MB)

Photo credit: Staff Sgt. Jon Soucy

The milestone 50th UH-72A Lakota Light Utility Helicopter was officially presented to the U.S. Army in December 2008 at the twin-engine aircraft’s state-of-the-art production facility in Columbus, Mississippi.

Download (3.65 MB)

In preparation for its delivery to the District of Columbia National Guard, the UH-72A lands next to the D.C. Armory on March 11, 2009.

Download (483 KB)

Col. Timothy Hilty, Commanding Officer of the Eastern Army National Guard Aviation Training Site, speaks at the December 16, 2008 delivery ceremony for the 50th and 51st UH-72A Lakota Light Utility Helicopters to the U.S. Army.

Download (2.14 MB)

The milestone 50th UH-72A Lakota Light Utility Helicopter was officially presented to the U.S. Army at the twin-engine aircraft’s state-of-the-art production facility in Columbus, Mississippi.

Download (2.72 MB)

Lakota helicopters incorporate a modern, night vision goggle-compatible glass cockpit equipped with a technologically advanced Vehicle and Engine Management Display.

Download (3.98 MB)

The UH-72A quickly reconfigures for medical transport missions, and its sliding side and rear clamshell doors optimize safety and accessibility.

Download (4.25 MB)

In one of the most rapid introductions of a new aircraft in the U.S. Army’s history, the service equipped its first operational unit – the National Training Center Air Ambulance Detachment at Fort Irwin, California – with the UH-72A Lakota Light Utility Helicopter in 2007.

Download (3.98 MB)

The first UH-72A Lakota was received by the U.S. Army during a delivery and naming ceremony on December 11, 2006 in Columbus, Mississippi, where the rotorcraft is produced.

Download (3.5 MB)