BISMARCK Representatives of North Dakota's tribal nations will participate in a ceremony dedicating the North Dakota National Guard's newest helicopter, the UH-72A Lakota.
The Lakota will be dedicated Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. at United Tribes Technical College near Bismarck.
Scott Davis, executive director of the N.D. Indian Affairs Commission, will be master of ceremonies.
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A UH-72A Lakota helicopter leaves Fraine Barracks in Bismarck Aug. 21, shown in this photo by Sgt. Brett Miller. The aircraft was on static display. The Lakota is the North Dakota National Guard’s newest helicopter and will be dedicated Tuesday.
The ceremony will include Gov. Jack Dalrymple, North Dakota's congressional delegation, Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, adjutant general for the N.D. National Guard, David Gipp, president UTTC, and representatives of N.D. tribal nations: Three Affiliated Tribes, Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, Spirit Lake Tribe, Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate.
Two of the four Lakota helicopters that the Guard will be getting will be at the ceremony.
The U.S. Army's proud tradition of providing its helicopters Native American names continues with the UH-72A Lakota.
The Lakota is the Army's newest light-utility helicopter and will replace the UH-1H Iroquois and OH-58 Kiowa helicopters. The aircraft is ideally suited for logistics and missions in support of homeland security, emergency response and medical evacuations.
Naming each Lakota helicopter symbolizes the respect and partnership between the Native American warriors honored by the aircraft and the soldiers of the North Dakota National Guard that will operate the aircraft.
The dedication ceremony is free and open to the public. Guides at the UTTC entrance will direct visitors to the ceremony at the Lone Star Arena.