LATHAM, N.Y., - More than 70 members of the New York Army and Air National Guard from Long Island, the Hudson Valley and the Capital Region, are in Cape Town, South Africa Sept. 21-25 to participate in the African continent's largest air show, the Africa Aerospace and Defense Exposition 2010.
The event, held at Ysterplaat Air Force Base, features aircraft from 35 countries and 135 manufacturers.
The New York National Guard, which participates in a State Partnership Program with the South African National Defence Force, has sent an Army National Guard OH-58 Kiowa Scout Helicopter, a New York Air National Guard HH-60 Pavehawk rescue helicopter and a giant New York Air National Guard C-5A cargo plane to participate in the exhibition.
The Army National Guard has also sent an M1117 Armored Security Vehicle and a humvee ambulance for display.
"Support missions such as this afford our New York National Guard a continuous capability to strengthen our partnership with the South African National Defense Forces," said Army Brig Gen. Renwick Payne, director of Joint Staff for the New York National Guard.
"We in New York are looking forward to opportunities like this to exchange and share information about how we prepare Soldiers and Airmen for the demands of today's contingency missions," said Payne, the ranking New York National Guard officer on the mission.
"There is much common ground to better understand how our Family Programs care for our members, how we encourage resiliency in our members and prepare for future equipment modernizations or aircraft development." Payne said.
"It's going to be awesome. It is a good trip, "said Army National Guard Sgt. Kevin Resseler, an OH-59 ground support mechanic. "You'll see what other countries are using. You'll see what other units are using," he added.
The HH-60 Pavehawk helicopter belongs to the 106th Rescue Wing based at Francis S. Gabreski Airport in Westhampton Beach Long Island. The wing –which was featured in the movie "The Perfect Storm"-also sent 25 Airmen, including para-rescue specialists-to participate in the show and conduct military-to-military operations with South African forces.
The HH-60 was transported to South Africa by a C-17 Globemaster III which is normally based in Hungary.
The C-5A, which transported the Army National Guard troops and equipment, is assigned to the 105th Airlift Wing at Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh. The wing conducts strategic airlift around the world on a regular basis.
The OH-58 Kiowa is assigned to Detachment 1, Alpha Co, 1st of the 224 Aviation Security and Support Battalion, at Latham, NY. The unit normally flies missions in support of the New York National Guard Counterdrug Task Force.
A team from the 442nd Military Police Company, based in Yonkers, is with the armored security vehicle, while the 466th Area Medical Company from Queensbury sent the humvee ambulance and Soldiers to accompany it.
The State Partnership Program (SPP) is a National Guard initiative that encourages relationships, enhances international security and builds capacity across all levels of society with developing nations. Each State and territorial National Guard is partnered with the military of a developing friendly nation.
New York's partnership with the Republic of South Africa was initiated in 2003. Since then New York National Guard has been sending military visitors to South Africa and hosting military and civilian visitors in return.
A New York National Guard Officer-- Major Scott Williams, a member of the 106th Rescue Wing-- is responsible for maintaining this bilateral relationship is stationed in the American Embassy in Pretoria, South Africa.
Participation in this air show is part of the New York National Guard's ongoing relationship with South Africa.
The Africa Aerospace and Defense Exposition, is a five-day event, held every two years.
The first three days of the event will be a trade show, with the last two days open to the public. An air show is held on those two days. There will be 350 exhibitors from 35 countries according to event organizers.
The New York Air National Guard has sent a C-5A from the 105th Airlift Wing to participate in the Air Show in 2004, 2006 and 2008. Aircraft and personnel from active Air Force units and other Air National Guard units are also participating in the United States display at the show.
"Some 80 per cent of the exhibition space has already been booked, which is remarkable considering the worldwide economic situation that has impacted on the global aerospace and defense industry," exhibit director Geoff van Hees said in a press release from his agency.