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    Boulder recognizes 4th CAB flood efforts

    Boulder recognizes 4th CAB flood efforts

    Photo By Sgt. Jonathan Thibault | Lt. Col. Tyler Smith, commander, 2nd General Support Aviation Battalion, 4th Aviation...... read more read more

    BOULDER, Colo. - The humming of helicopter blades drowns out all other noise as emotions run high for crew members of the 4th Combat Aviation Brigade as they gently descended to the ground at the Boulder Municipal Airport. Saturday marked the first time the 4th CAB members returned to Boulder since providing flood rescue and relief flights to the surrounding community members.

    The 4th CAB and the Colorado National Guard crews were recognized during an Airport Day Flood Rescue Appreciation ceremony at Boulder Municipal Airport, June 14.

    Fort Carson's 4th CAB commander, Col. Robert T. Ault, and Command Sgt. Maj. Antoine Duchatelier Jr. received awards on behalf of the post and gave thanks for their partnership with CONG.

    "We are humbled and honored to be here," said Ault. "This community is absolutely incredible, and it's amazing to be part of a team such as the Colorado National Guard. We are blessed to live in a state that has a National Guard that is responsive and capable. It was an honor to work in support of them."

    Maj. Gen. Michael Edwards, CONG adjutant general and executive director of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, received the awards for the CONG and talked about the selfless service of military members.

    "It is really humbling to be here with you and our great teammates from Fort Carson," said Edwards. "This is what we put the uniform on for. If you talk to your military members, they serve to serve citizens and this great nation. It is great to see the appreciation coming from the hearts of our great citizens. You hope you're never called to a disaster, but we are always ready."

    The efforts of the CAB and CONG during the floods were the largest airlift operation since Hurricane Katrina and the biggest in Colorado history, said Cindy Domenico, Boulder County commissioner.

    "We were severely impacted in our mountain canyons," said Domenico. "My staff and I remember seeing the helicopters coming over the mountains and flying throughout the days that followed, bringing people in. They brought families in, and families that were separated met right here on the tarmac. Without the amazing partnership and help of our friends in the CONG and the U.S. Army, it would have been so much more tragic."

    Jamestown Mayor Tara Schoedinger shared how the military helped with rescue and rebuilding efforts.

    "We thought it was going to be a simple medevac, but when the helicopters arrived it became more apparent that the military came to do much more. They helped our community get to safety," she said. "Thanks to CONG, 4th CAB and enormous amount of help from others, we have begun rebuilding our community. We are rebuilding homes and our water system."

    Lyons Mayor John O'Brien discussed the damage caused by the floods in his city and how the military helped the community.

    "Lyons residents were beginning to run out of food and were isolated from six separate islands," said O'Brien. "CONG trucks brought in food, water and blankets to hungry, thirsty and grateful residents. After seeing the help from the CONG and 4th CAB, people trapped by the floods started to feel the spirit of service that was evident through the following days."

    Tim Plass, Boulder city council member, recalled his experience of some of the rescues.

    "It's amazing to think what happened here, and I was lucky enough to be out here when some of the rescues happened," said Plass. "Seeing the people get off the helicopters with their backpacks and their dogs, it was a very powerful and moving experience."

    Boulder residents remember their rescue from last year's floods.

    "During the floods, we hiked up the mountain to a meeting point," said Steve LeGoff, Boulder resident. "We got a ride from a neighbor to Monument Hill, where we were picked up by a Black Hawk. We didn't know what to expect when we were evacuated, but we felt relief because we knew we were put in a better situation."

    "It's wonderful that the military members are getting recognized," he said. "They did awesome getting everyone evacuated quickly. I am forever grateful to them. We are here because of them. We don't know what could have happened otherwise."

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 06.14.2014
    Date Posted: 06.19.2014 19:24
    Story ID: 133728
    Location: BOULDER, CO, US

    Web Views: 136
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN