Aviation Soldiers arrive in North Dakota

Courtesy Photo | Sgt. John Kerr, with Company C, 2nd Battalion, 285th Aviation Regiment, prepares to leave the Bismarck Municipal Airport with his family Oct. 13 after returning from a yearlong deployment to Kosovo.  

BISMARCK, ND, UNITED STATES

10.13.2014

Courtesy Story

North Dakota National Guard Public Affairs

BISMARCK, N.D. - Approximately 40 North Dakota Army National Guard Soldiers with the Bismarck-based Company C, 2nd Battalion, 285th Aviation Regiment returned yesterday and will continue to arrive on several separate flights through this evening after a yearlong deployment to Kosovo, where they supported an international peacekeeping mission.

"We are proud to welcome home the members of the 285th Aviation Regiment to the state and nation they so honorably served and defended this past year in Kosovo," said Gov. Jack Dalrymple. "These Soldiers performed a successful international peacekeeping mission and provided vital support for U.S. and NATO forces. We are grateful for their distinguished service and are thrilled to have them back in North Dakota and reunited with their families."

Under the leadership of Capt. Russ Sundby, of Fargo, North Dakota, and 1st Sgt. Jim Lind, of Bismarck, the unit operated Black Hawk helicopters as part of the Kosovo Forces, or KFOR, 18 Aviation Task Force in support of the U.S.-led Multi-National Battle Group East, which conducts military peace support operations in Kosovo. The North Dakota aviators provided air transport for U.S. and NATO Forces, including training and assistance to the Kosovo Security Forces.

"I'm proud of our aviators and the invaluable service they provided during their mobilization," said North Dakota Adjutant General Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk. "The unit's accomplishments represent North Dakota National Guard's commitment to duty, work ethic and continued excellence in the field of aviation. I couldn't be happier to welcome you back to North Dakota."

During the past year, the company's aviators flew more than 2,000 hours and transported more than 1,500 passengers for civil and military missions. The Soldiers helped maintain a safe and secure environment and provided freedom of movement in Kosovo by supporting riot control, quick reaction forces, firefighting and airborne operations. The North Dakota Soldiers were replaced by Florida National Guard's Company C, 1-244th Aviation Regiment.

This mobilization was the unit's second deployment since the beginning of the Global War on Terrorism. Company C, 2nd Battalion, 285th Aviation Regiment deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freed from October 2009-October 2010. During their deployment, the unit's aviators flew more than 750 combat missions totaling more than 6,200 flight hours. They were responsible for transporting senior officials, Soldiers, medical supplies and other cargo throughout Iraq.

• Date Taken: 10.13.2014
• Date Posted: 10.14.2014 12:18
• Story ID: 145018
• Location: BISMARCK, ND, US