|
 |
Iowa soldiers are welcomed home
|
Ceremony held Saturday, May 16 in Boone
|
May 20, 2009 |
|
 |
Photo identified at end of full story.
|
|
The gym erupted in cheers from friends and family as Company B, 248th Aviation Support Battalion was dismissed Saturday, May 16, 2009 after returning from a 10-month deployment overseas. Iowa Governor Chet Culver was among the speakers at the "Welcome Home" ceremony held at Des Moines Area Community College in Boone.
Company B of the Iowa National Guard was deployed to Fort Sill, OK June 5, 2008 for post mobilization training. The Unit moved into the Iraq theater in Mid-August 2008.
The first task for many of the soldiers was the assembly of aircraft at the port in Kuwait. This effort consisted of unloading and assembling 70 UH-60 Blackhawk and 12 CH-47 Chinook helicopters in support of the 34th Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB) movement to Iraq.
On station at Joint Base Balad, Iraq, approximately 40 miles north of Baghdad, most of Company B performed helicopter mainenance. Unit members completed 13 UN-60 and seven CH-47 phase maintenances during their nine months in theater, as well as over 5,000 maintenance work orders.
Some unit members were assigned to the Distribution Company of the Battalion, supporting either the Avaiation Parts Supply Support Activity or the Forward Arming and Refueling Point. Others were assigned to the staff sections of the 834th Avaiation Headquarters.
A small element of Company B, 248th Aviation Soldiers operated in other locations throughout Iraq and Kuwait in support of the 49th CAB and 449th Theater Aviation Brigade.
PHOTO IDs: Adam Shepard, second from left, and Kyle Bosch, third from left, both OHS graduates, wait patiently to be dismissed after a long tour in Iraq. David Mutchler of Beaver also returned home.
PHOTO ID: Tony Van Cannon is greeted by his wife Jen (right) and sister Mandy.
-Photos courtesy of Mysty Stumbo |
|
©The Ogden Reporter 2010
|
|
|
