Alabama Guard has new helicopter

The Alabama Army National Guard will unveil the newest addition to its aircraft inventory at a ceremony 10 a.m., Jan. 9 at the Army Aviation Support Facility #2, 5701 East Lake Boulevard in Birmingham.

The new Light Utility Helicopter (LUH), the UH-72A Lakota, is a lightweight helicopter that is specifically tailored to support homeland security missions. The aircraft will be used for counterdrug operations and law enforcement support missions. The new UH-72 will help replace the OH-58 Kiowa helicopter on many Alabama National Guard counterdrug missions in support of law enforcement.

The Lakota is the first new aircraft to come directly to the Alabama National Guard in years. National Guard aircraft are normally former regular Army aircraft that have been replaced.

The UH-72, produced in Columbus, Miss, is a state of the art aircraft with twin engine reliability, modern navigation and communication systems and a proven record of commercial Aviation service.

UH-72s will be on display at the ceremony and senior Alabama National Guard members will be on-hand to welcome the new aircraft.