AANNNDDD Really cool story I just learned!
You ever wonder why we have helicopters named like the:
Apache, Chinook
The Blackhawk,
The Majova
Well I just found out why, it’s not by coincidence by the US Army actually mandates and has a regulation due to it! Army Regulation 70-28 in 1978.
AR 70-28 states “Army Aircraft should be given to names of Native American tribes, or chiefs or terms.”
Though AR 70-28 is no longer around, naming Army aircraft around Native Americans still stuck. In March of 1977 Aviation Digest held a competition to name the UH-60A. The competition was “Name that Bird” The rules cited AR 70-28 and, the rules were “Appeal to the imagination with out sacrifice of dignity, and should suggest an aggressive spirit, and confidence in the capabilities of the aircraft, The name should also should suggest, mobility, agility, flexibility, firepower and endurance”
The winning name became the “Blackhawk” which is named after Sauk Leader - Blackhawk, who fought in the war of 1812 and the Blackhawk war.
In 2012 the UH-72 was finally dubbed the Lakota, which is a Native American tribe found in both North and South Dakota. During this time, two Lakota helicopters were blessed by Spiritual leader, and elder George Ironshield, The UH-72 is designed for Emergency response, and medical evacuation the Lakotas were given special names by Ironshield, one was nickednamed “Eagle” to symbolize spirituality and hope, and the other is known as “Turtle” to reflect its mission to protect and heal.
The Army pays it’s respect to the Native Indians by naming their aircraft in honour of them.
Hope this brought some new facts into your day!
