241st Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

Story by Pvt. Tarell Bilbo

CARVILLE, La. – Louisiana Army National Guard's 1st Battalion of the 244th Aviation Regiment welcomed new commander, Lt. Col. Johnathan W. Ballard Sr., in an official ceremony at the Hilton Riverside Hotel in New Orleans, July 12.

Ballard, a native of Geismar, La., assumed command from Lt. Col. Patrick R. Bossetta, who commanded the battalion during its Iraq deployment in 2008.

Bossetta will become the deputy commander of the State Aviation Command.

"I am deeply honored," said Ballard, during an emotional speech. He also thanked Bossetta for the confidence he had in recommending him for this position.

Bossetta described Ballard as one of the finest officers he's ever worked with and an outstanding aviator.

"He handled so much and just made my life easy," said Bossetta. "A lot of the success that we've had is attributed to his leadership."

The 1-244th mobilized twice in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and logged more than 15,000 flying hours this year while serving overseas.

On their last mission, they flew about 24 helicopters out of a fleet of 30 each and every day, according to Bossetta. "It was a very busy mission."

The battalion is located at the Hammond Northshore Regional Airport in Hammond, La., and has Soldiers that live across Louisiana.

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