5/1/2017 Contact: Public Affairs Office- Catherine Horner Email: catherine.f.horner.nfg@mail.mil (785) 646-1192 www.kansastag.gov

The people of Pittsburg will look to the sky May 3 as two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters from Company A, 1st Battalion, 108th Aviation conduct orientation flights for a number of community leaders. The flights are part of the Kansas National Guards Community Connect program to increase awareness of the Guard, its people and the role they play in protecting the security, health and safety of Kansans.

Flight participants include representatives from local governments, education, law enforcement, churches, medical services, service organizations and businesses.

The Kansas National Guard has long been a part of the Pittsburg community, said Lt. Col. Lisa Mullinax, commander, Recruiting and Retention Battalion. Even so, there are probably many residents in the city and surrounding communities who really dont know who we are and what we do. Orientation flights like this help community leaders understand the value we bring to the state.

The UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter is the aerial workhorse of the Kansas Army National Guard. It is a four-bladed, twin-engine, medium-lift utility helicopter used for soldier and equipment transport, aeromedical evacuation, support for ground troops, and other missions.