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The final appropriations allocation doubles that
number, allowing National Guard units to
continue to provide support to citizens around
the country. National Guard Lakotas have
provided critical support responding to recent
domestic emergencies including this year's
wildfires in Colorado, tornadoes in Oklahoma,
severe flooding in the West and Superstorm
Sandy.
They are regularly used to conduct rescues of
civilians in distress across the country, and
are deployed along the U.S.-Mexico border flying
security operations against criminal cartels.
Lakotas are also being used to train Navy,
Marine Corps and Army test pilots at the U.S.
Naval Test Pilot School.
"This continuation of the government contract
orders for the Lakota demonstrates the value of
affordable, cost-effective programs in a
constrained budget environment," said Sean
O'Keefe, Chairman and CEO of Airbus Group, Inc.
"That support means a lot to the American
workers who have delivered every single Lakota
on time and on budget over the last seven
years."
"We understand that in the current fiscal
environment, our customer and the American
taxpayer can't afford to waste a penny," O'Keefe
said. "This is a time to support programs that
deliver what is promised and also have a vital
role to play in our national security programs
like the Lakota." |
