Kansas Army National Guardsmen to take part in the annual Adam’s Apple Festival in Lucas

Soldiers of the Kansas Army National Guard's Army Aviation Flight Facility #2, Salina, will have a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter on static display at the annual Adam's Apple Festival in Lucas, Kansas, Saturday, Aug. 24, beginning at 11 a.m. This year's event is the 50th anniversary of the celebration.

"We enjoy coming to events such as this," said Chief Warrant Officer 5 Jason Garr, Standardization Pilot, AASF #2. "It gives us a chance to meet the people we serve and show off the equipment we use every day during civil support missions or training events."

During the festival, the public will have the opportunity to explore the helicopter inside and out and ask the crew questions about the aircraft and its role in the Kansas National Guard's state and federal missions.

The UH-60 Black Hawk, the workhorse of the Kansas Army National Guard's aviation fleet, is a medium lift combat helicopter capable of performing numerous jobs within Kansas and worldwide. Its primary mission is to transport personnel and equipment throughout a battlefield, the state or nation. It may be used for medical missions as an air ambulance or to assist local authorities in suppressing wildland fires and can lift up to 9,000 pounds of cargo using a sling load hook beneath the aircraft.

Lucas Area Chamber of Commerce Director, Connie Dougherty, said that "Lucas is honored to have the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter and its crew attend our 50th Annual Adam's Apple Festival. It will be a unique experience, for adults and kids alike, to be able to learn about the helicopter, and the Kansas Army National Guard."

The location of the UH-60 Black Hawk will be announced at a later date.

Lucas, located in Russell County, is known as the "Grassroots Art Capital of Kansas." The Adam's Apple festival will run from 8 a.m. until 11 p.m. on Main Street and various locations throughout the town.