Photo By Staff Sgt. William Henry | The Gary Limited Army Aviation Support Facility dedication takes place with...... read more read more
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By Spc. William E. Henry
Indiana Army National Guard
GARY, Ind. -- A ceremony was held at the Indiana National Guard's new Limited Army Aviation Support Facility dedicating its completion Friday, Oct. 24, 2008.
Maj. Gen. R. Martin Umbarger, Indiana's adjutant general, Gov. Mitch Daniels, U.S. Senator Evan Bayh, Indiana Congressman Pete Visclosky and Gary's mayor, Rudy Clay, were among the many distinguished guests to attend the event.
All speakers spoke about how the facility will be an asset to the state's emergency mission and adding protection to the surrounding region.
"This facility was well completed, it is mission enhancing. It'll be a major part of the capabilities now of America's finest National Guard. It is a testament to the patriotism of Hoosiers and to our commitment to each other," said Daniels.
The 56,000-square-foot $18.7 million facility will employ 22 full-time workers with three UH-60 Black Hawks and two OH-58 Kiowa helicopters. The helicopters will be ready to respond to immediate emergencies in the area rather than call in one from Shelbyville, an hour flight away.
Bayh spoke about how it took teamwork to make the facility a reality.
"America is not divided into red states and blue states, as we can see by our nation's emblem; we are united as fifty red, white and blue states," said Bayh.
Visclosky agreed with Bayh and praised the service and selflessness of all the Indiana National Guardsmen.
"The Guard has helped people in the state of Indiana in 70 of our 92 counties this year alone and again we need to be grateful for that," said Visclosky.
Maj. Gen. Umbarger attributed the success of the Indiana National Guard to how Indiana has exceeded its recruiting goals for the fourth year in a row and the patriotism of the residents of the state.
"It seems only yesterday when we were together for the groundbreaking ceremony. But here we are on the rainy but happy autumn day, cutting the ribbon on one of the finest military facilities, state of the art, second to none, in the nation," said Maj. Gen. Umbarger.
| Date Taken: | 10.24.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 10.28.2008 17:11 |
| Story ID: | 25658 |
| Location: | GARY, US |
| Web Views: | 180 |
| Downloads: | 94 |
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