Honoring The 'Soldier's General'
By SPC Charles Ames
On 6 December 1997 the Washington Army National Guard dedicated an AH-1S Cobra Attack
Helicopter and monument to honor the memory of Major General George
M. Haskett, the Washington State Adjutant General from 1957 to 1967. Additionally, the
monument honors the aviators of the Washington Army National Guard past and present.
"The Monument has a dual meaning", says Emory Lehman, President of the Board of
Directors of the Washington National Guard State Historical Society. "We wanted
to honor the memory of a soldier who served as our Adjutant General,
Major General Haskett and the aviators of the Washington Army
National Guard that have played a critical role for safe guarding the citizens of the
state and nation."
The Cobra Attack Helicopter is a significant part of the aviation history of the
Washington Army National Guard. The Cobra entered into service with the Washington
Army Guard in the mid-1980’s, as part of the 1/168th Attack
Squadron. The helicopter served in many missions supporting both the Army National
Guard and the active Army. It played crucial roles also in wars and conflicts from
Vietnam, through Grenada, Panama and the Gulf War.
