An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | Dec. 9, 2011

Kentucky National Guard shows aviation facility, flight operations with Ecuadorian Army Air Group

By Air National Guard Maj. Shawn Keller Kentucky National Guard

FRANKFORT, Ky. - The Kentucky National Guard hosted a team of aviators and maintainers from the Republic of Ecuador Army Air Group at the Army Aviation Support Facility at Boone National Guard Center here last month as part of the National Guard State Partnership Program.

The group consisted of six pilots, two maintenance and logistics personnel and one Ecuadorian civilian translator. They were accompanied by Air Force Lt. Col. Peter Jacob from the U.S. Military Group, Ecuador.

The Ecuadorian visitors were given an in-depth look at the Kentucky National Guard’s aviation operations and maintenance facility, hosted by Army Capt. Gabriel Spicer and his team from the AASF. They received briefings and hands on demonstrations of Kentucky’s mission planning, safety program, policies, procedures, preoperational post operation flight activities.

"We wanted to know about the organization of the Kentucky National Guard and how they operate Black Hawks," said Maj. Jose Luis Vasco, Ecuador Army Air Group 45 pilot.

The Ecuadorian Army is in the process of selecting a new medium-lift helicopter to replace their aging fleet of AS332 Super Puma helicopters. The Black Hawk is one option being considered.

The Ecuadorian Army Air Group will use the knowledge gained from this visit to develop their own policies and procedures for improved aviation operations tracking, mission planning, maintenance and logistics operations and a robust safety program.

The visit also laid the foundation for an ongoing, professional relationship with the Kentucky National Guard. This relationship will facilitate the continued sharing of information and exchange of ideas long after the visit is over.

"This trip has fulfilled our expectations," Vasco said.

The original SPP coordinator for Kentucky, retired Col. Phil Miller, talked about why Kentucky and Ecuador are partners and why their relationship is strong.

"We still continue to engage our partnership with Ecuador because we speak a common language and that is to provide a service to our nation, service to the people we serve and being technically and tactically proficient at what we do," Miller said.

The helicopter aviation program plays a key role in providing essential military support and services to the people of Ecuador. It is Ecuador’s first responder for medical evacuations and supports humanitarian assistance, peace keeping operations, disaster response and counter-narcotics operations. Army aviation is one of several key areas of emphasis for the Kentucky and Ecuador partnership.

Other exchange events focus on tactical vehicle maintenance, military law, C-130 cargo aircraft operations and maintenance, officer and enlisted professional development, and counter-drug programs. The State Partnership Program has seven exchange events planned for fiscal year 2012 at various locations throughout Kentucky and in Ecuador.

The tour this time concluded with an orientation flight in a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter.

In addition to visiting the AASF, the Ecuadorian aviation visitors were given opportunities to experience the culture and hospitality of the Commonwealth with a visit to a distillery here. The trip also included an informative visit to the Patton Museum and a tour of Fort Knox, Ky.

The Kentucky National Guard State Partnership began in 1996, and continues to be a dynamic, beneficial relationship for both Ecuador and Kentucky.

 

 

Related Articles
U.S. Army Pvt. Fatmata Kaikai, assigned to the 1067th Composite Truck Company, 228th Motor Transport Battalion, 213th Regional Support Group, Pennsylvania Army National Guard, climbs a rope during an obstacle course July 22, 2025, at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania. The obstacle course challenges Soldiers’ physical stamina and is usually a precursor to the Air Assault School.
Pennsylvania Guard Completes Confidence Course
By Capt. Angela Clemons, | July 23, 2025
FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa.— Soldiers with the Pennsylvania National Guard's 213th Regional Support Group pushed their physical and mental limits when they completed a confidence course July 22.The event brought together...

Members of the 102nd Civil Engineer Squadron's (CES) electrical systems shop and 374th CES electrical systems shop work together to enable safe replacement of a damaged airfield sequence flashing light on Yokota Air Base, Japan, July 3, 2025. During a deployment for training (DFT), the 102nd CES integrated with its active-duty counterparts within the 374th CES to accomplish hands-on training during a series of key base enhancement projects
Massachusetts Air Guard Squadron Completes Deployment for Training in Japan
By Senior Airman Julia Ahaesy, | July 23, 2025
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan - The Massachusetts Air National Guard’s 102nd Civil Engineer Squadron completed a deployment for training, or DFT, July 1-12 on Yokota Air Base, Japan. Members integrated with their active component...

U.S. Air Force dental technician completes a dental X-ray for a local resident during Operation Healthy Tennessee, Rhea County Middle School, Evensville, Tenn., July 10, 2025. Operation Healthy Tennessee provides no-cost medical, dental, vision and veterinary services to the residents of Bledsoe and Rhea County, as well as the surrounding areas while satisfying training requirements for active-duty, reserve and Air National Guard service members and units.
Operation Healthy Tennessee: Where Readiness Meets Relief
By Staff Sgt. Sarah Stalder Lundgren, | July 22, 2025
EVENSVILLE, Tenn. - More than 200 service members from the U.S. Air Force, Air National Guard, U.S. Army Reserve, U.S. Navy Reserve and U.S. Air Force Reserve participated in Operation Healthy Tennessee, part of the...