U.S. Army and National Guard Lakota Awards
Every day, UH-72A Lakota helicopters built at Airbus Helicopters, Inc.’s Columbus, Mississippi facility are deployed in U.S. Army and U.S. Army National Guard services for a broad range of mission scenarios – including homeland security, drug interdiction, general support, logistics and medical evacuation.
To encourage excellence among the crew members that operate and maintain these multi-role helicopters, Airbus Helicopters, Inc. has developed a range of awards.
Information on each honor – including award criteria, levels and process for qualification – can be found below:
The Airbus Helicopters, Inc. Lakota Flight Safety Award has been developed to recognize crew members’ flight experience in the Lakota. The award is based on hours safely flown in the Lakota. Qualifying crew members receive an award pin, a patch and certificate for each level reached. Eligible crew members include Pilots, Crew Chiefs, Fire Fighters and Medics.
Award Criteria
- Award levels are based on the number of accident-free hours flown in a Lakota helicopter only (for commercial EC145 or other helicopter types, please refer to our section for the Commercial Operators Awards)
- Hours should be cumulative, starting with the crew member’s first flight in a Lakota helicopter
- Any time a flight-related accident from Class A thru C is reported for a particular crew member, their flight hours will be reset to 0
Award Levels
| HOURS | AWARD LEVEL |
| 500 | Bronze |
| 1.000 | Sapphire |
| 1.500 | Ruby |
| 2.000 | Emerald |
| 3.000 | Diamond |
Entries should be submitted directly to [email protected]
If any question, please e-mail us or review the Frequently Asked Questions
The Airbus Helicopters, Inc. Lakota Unit Flight Safety Award has been developed to recognize a unit’s flight experience in the Lakota. The award is based on hours safely flown in the Lakota. Qualifying units receive an award certificate for the first 1,000 flight hours safely flown and a trophy for subsequent awards. This will be awarded to the entire unit, including Pilots, Crew Chiefs, Medics, Fire Fighters and Maintainers.
Award Criteria
- Award levels are based on the number of accident-free hours flown in a Lakota helicopter only (for commercial EC145 or other helicopter types, please refer to our section for the Commercial Operators Awards)
- Hours are cumulative aircraft flight hours for a unit’s entire fleet of Lakota helicopters
- Any time a flight-related accident from Class A thru C is reported for a particular unit, its award flight hours will be reset to zero.
Award Levels
| HOURS | AWARD LEVEL |
| 1.000 | Certificate |
| 5.000 | Trophy |
| 10.000 | Trophy |
| 20.000 | Trophy |
Entries should be submitted directly to [email protected]
If any question, please e-mail us or review the Frequently Asked Questions
The Airbus Helicopters, Inc. Lakota Maintenance Technician Award has been developed to recognize the experience of those who keep the U.S. Army and U.S. Army National Guard Lakota fleet flying. Qualifying Maintenance Technicians receive a certificate and patch for each level reached.
Award Criteria
- This award applies to maintenance experience with the Lakota helicopter only
- Potential recipients must have, at a minimum, attended the Airbus Helicopters, Inc. Lakota Maintenance class
- Award levels are based on years
Award Levels
| YEARS | AWARD LEVEL |
| 1 | Lakota Technician |
| 5 | Lakota Senior Technician |
| 10 | Lakota Master Technician |
| 15 | Lakota Distinguished Technician |
| 20 | Lakota Distinguished Technician |
| 25 | Lakota Distinguished Technician |
Entries should be submitted directly to [email protected]
If any question, please e-mail us or review the Frequently Asked Questions
Award Criteria
In addition to the Lakota Flight Safety Award, Lakota Unit Flight Safety Award and Lakota Maintenance Technician Award, Airbus Helicopters, Inc. also offers the opportunity to recognize a Lakota crew member whose efforts have saved a life.
Nominees selected by their unit commanders for this special recognition will receive an official proclamation that is suitable for presentation at an official ceremony or awards function.
Qualifications
To submit a nomination or ask question, please send the substantiating information to: [email protected]
To submit a nomination or ask questions, please send the substantiating information to: [email protected]
Review the Frequently Asked Questions below:
Can I count my time as pilot/maintenance technician on a commercial EC145 or other helicopter types towards this award program?
No, this award is limited to actual Lakota time. We want to reward safe operation of the Lakota aircraft; Army safety officers are unable to verify whether time spent on commercial platforms was accident-free.
Will non-flight related accidents in the unit also reset the clock to zero?
No, only flight-related accidents reset the clock to zero.
Can you also ship the awards to an APO address?
Yes, in the “State” box you will find the option to choose between APO AA, APO AE and APO AP.
When can I submit my nomination?
You can submit your nomination at any given point in time, as you long as you fulfill the criteria. We have designed this award program for you – the crew members and maintenance technicians, and will keep it running for as long as we see your participation/interest.