2ID welcomes new aviation squadron

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Aaron Duncan | The commander of 4th Attack Reconnaissance Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment, Lt. Col. Brian Watkins, and the senior enlisted advisor to the commander, Command Sgt. Maj. Stanley Williams, waits for the unit colors to be retired after the uncasing ceremony Oct. 18, 2013 at Camp Humphreys.  

CAMP HUMPHREYS, 41, SOUTH KOREA

10.18.2013

Story by Staff Sgt. Aaron Duncan 

2nd Combat Aviation Brigade

CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea - The 2nd Infantry Division officially welcomed soldiers of the 4th Attack Reconnaissance Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment to the land of the morning calm Oct. 18 during a unit colors uncasing ceremony.

The ceremony is an Army tradition that symbolizes the beginning of the squadron’s historic nine-month deployment to the Korean peninsula. As the first aviation rotational deployment to Korean peninsula, the addition 4-6th ARS makes the 2nd Infantry Division a more agile force with the increased capability to deter aggression and defend the Republic of Korea, if called upon.

“Our deployment here is a win-win on two fronts,” said Maj. Ryan Guthrie, the 4-6th ARS executive officer. “One, we are bringing a fully-trained, operationally-ready unit to the Korean peninsula that is ready to ‘fight tonight’ in support of our higher headquarters. On the other hand, we will leave the peninsula with a force that is even better trained and has more experience which will enhance the force.”

Stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington and subordinate to the 16th Combat Aviation Brigade, the squadron brings with it 30 OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopters that are designed to conduct reconnaissance, target acquisition and designation, command and control, and defense air combat missions in support of military operations. This addition will now bring the 2nd CAB’s aviation capabilities back up to full strength for the first time since 2008.

“We are getting out of the American air space and into something a little different so we will be challenged operationally and tactically,” said Guthrie, a native of Richland, N.J. “It will be a great opportunity for our pilots as well as our support staff and ground crews to enhance themselves through exposure to the Korean culture and operationally with experience.”

“I have complete faith in the ability of our soldiers to take on the challenges we will face during this rotation,” said Lt. Col. Brian Watkins, commander of 4-6th ARS. “They have demonstrated time and again they are a “team of teams,” masters of the fundamentals, and focused on providing lethal and agile aviation support enabling successful ground combat operations in the most demanding operations.”

• Date Taken: 10.18.2013
• Date Posted: 10.21.2013 23:59
• Story ID: 115504
• Location: CAMP HUMPHREYS, 41, KR
• Hometown: JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, WA, US
• Hometown: RICHLAND, NJ, US