2005 Press Releases
Indiana donates "Huey" Vietnam Era Helicopter to Kosice Air Museum
Bratislava, March 16, 2005
At a ceremony Friday, 18 March, at 12:30 P.M. at the Air Museum in Kosice, U.S. Major General Martin R. Umbarger, Commanding General for the Indiana National Guard, will present a U.S. Army UH-1M "Huey" Helicopter as a donation to the museum. In Slovakia, he is also meeting with the Slovak military leadership as part of the long-term relationship between the Slovak Republic and Indiana. Slovakia and Indiana have been closely involved in military and cultural exchanges of all types since 1993. As a gesture to this long-standing and growing friendship the Indiana National Guard offered its only UH-1M military display to the Kosice museum.
This is the second American aircraft to be presented to the Kosice air museum: on September 13, 2004, former U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Slovakia Ronald Weiser presented for display a U.S. Air Force AT-38 Talon which is a twin-engine, high-altitude, supersonic jet trainer.
Background
Indiana is located in the heartland of the U.S., and saw great influxes of Slovak immigrants in the early 1900s. Shortly after Slovak Independence, Indiana leaders asked to be partnered with the Slovak Republic in a U.S. State Department program promoting stronger ties in freedom. The Indiana National Guard is part of the U.S. military's reserve forces, and like the Slovak Republic, has been playing a greater international role in peacekeeping and the war on terror. Slovak and Indiana soldiers are today serving together in Kosovo and Iraq.
The UH-1 "Huey" Helicopter is considered the most popular military helicopter in the world. Often associated with the Vietnam War, more than 5,000 of these versatile aircraft would prowl the skies above Southeast Asia. Originally designed and developed in the mid-1950s by Bell Aviation, "Hueys" to this day still work as command and control aircraft, carry troops and act as gun ships. More than 9,000 have been produced since 1959 and are still flown today by about 40 countries. The UH-1M being donated by Indiana was built in 1967 and had a long life with both the U.S. Army and the Indiana National Guard. It was retired in 1997 and demilitarized for display in an Indiana National Guard park outside one of its military training areas.
The US National Guard State Partnership Program (SPP) began in 1993 in response to the collapse of Communism and the Soviet Union. SPP links National Guard States with Ministries of Defense of emerging or developing democratic nations around the world. Using US Military Reserves these "Citizen Solders" of SPP aimed to bring "Hometown America" onto the international stage. The Indiana-Slovakia partnership began in March 1994. Since then, the Indiana National Guard has participated in hundreds of bilateral activities with the Slovak Military. The Indiana National Guard has worked diligently to support Slovak defense reforms peacekeeping missions, humanitarian relief, and military professional development. The Indiana/Slovak relationship has built a "Bridge to America," establishing and nurturing bonds of mutual understanding through personal, sustained relationships.
The Indiana SPP focus is a key priority of Slovak leadership, the U.S. Embassy, the Governor of Indiana and, R. Martin Umbarger. The Guard also encourages interoperability development while demonstrating its benefits, and assists in the development of the Slovak Republic'' military institutions consistent with democracy.
Our relationships with the U.S. European Command, and the State Department's Security Assistance Office have ensured success for all levels of command. Some of MG Umbarger's key meetings with Slovak Military officials will include on-going programs to support the Slovak Republic's NATO obligations, new budget programs, and increased public trust.