2018

The June 14 to 17, 2018 event included a visit from then Idaho governor candidate Paulette Jordan from the Coeur d’Alene Tribe who talked about the importance of veterans and cultural events at Quarry View Park. The Boise Valley tribes named a Black Hawk helicopter “Tuisaipehe” at Gowen Field. The opening of the event was at Boise City Hall.

The UH-60 Blackhawk is considered to be a workhorse among the U.S. Army aviation fleet because of its ability to perform a diverse array of mission including air assault, medical evacuation command and control, along with the ability to transport personnel, equipment and supplies across the battlefield.

Maj. Nicole Washington said Tusaipehe has been utilized for all such missions, has traveled throughout Idaho, along with Oregon and Washington. It has traversed the deserts of Afghanistan, carried soldiers into battle and rescued the injured from death.

“Long before the Blackhawk, the Lakota or the Apache ever called Gowen Field home, long before Gowen Field or the Idaho National Guard called Boise home, the Boise Valley was home to a nation of people who embodied and inspired the same warrior spirit after which our aircraft our named,” she continued. “This ceremony is a way for us to honor the past and commit to partnership in the future.”

Maj. Washington said she was privileged to dedicate aircraft 010 to honor the Native people of the Boise Valley tribes.