CONTACT: Sgt. 1st Class Steven Petibone, 518-786-4581

FOR RELEASE: Wednesday, Jul 09, 2008

WHO:

Trained Firehawk pilots and crew-chiefs from the Florida Army National Guard who will take the helicopter to California because New York's. Firehawk-trained pilots recently deployed with 3rd Battalion, 142nd Aviation to Fort Sill, Oklahoma to train for their deployment to Iraq.

WHAT:

LATHAM, NY -- The New York Army National Guard will lend the state of California its Firehawk helicopter, a UH-60 helicopter specially configured to extinguish fires, to help California cope with a rash of wildfires. Members of the Capital Region press corps will have an opportunity to meet and interview National Guard soldiers and officers who will employ this unique fire-fighting system.

WHEN:

Wednesday, July 9 at 2:00 P.M.

WHERE:

Army Aviation Support Facility #3, 330 Old Niskayuna Road, Latham, N.Y.

Coverage Opportunities: A walk-around tour of the UH-60-FR Blackhawk helicopter by N.Y. aviation personnel, Florida and N.Y. National Guardsmen making preparations for departure of Florida's flight crew. There will be an opportunity to interview crew members and National Guard Soldiers who can explain the system, including New York State Aviation Officer Col. Michael Bobeck. The Firehawk System: The New York Firehawk is only one of five in the U.S. and is being earmarked to be flown to California in the midst of out-of-control wildfires in southern California. The Firehawk helicopter has been in New York's aviation inventory since 2004 to assist local fire-fighters and the Department of Environmental Conservation to control wildfires in NY State. The Firehawk water container can hold up to 1000 gallons of water and can be filled to capacity in approximately 60 seconds. It is able to drop all or just part of its water payload. It can also be filled with other types of fire-retardant material such as foam. The California Army National Guard will assume responsibility for New York's aircraft until after the fire season is over sometime in September, 2008. To gain access to this secure military facility, media members need to contact the Division of Military and Naval Affairs Public Affairs Office at 518-786-4581 no later than 1 p.m. on Wednesday July 9. Photo cutline: New York's Firehawk in action over Long Island during a training mission with the Department of Environmental Conservation. Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Steven Petibone, New York Army National Guard

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