By Sgt. 1st Class Chris Seaton
Task Force XII PAO

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq – The 12th Combat Aviation Brigade's 412th Aviation Support Battalion officially completed their combat tour in Iraq with a transfer of authority ceremony here on Sept. 7, 2008.

The battalion, which deployed to Iraq in July 2007, heads back to Katterbach, Germany after serving 15 months as the aviation support element for Multi-National Corps – Iraq's Task Force XII.

The unit was headquartered at Joint Base Balad, but Soldiers of the 412th served in locations throughout the country, including Camp Taji and Baghdad International Airport, supporting six aviation battalions, and two of the four aviation brigade headquarters in country.

"The capabilities of this great outfit make it our (brigade's) logistical center of gravity," said Task Force XII Commander, Col. Timothy Edens. "They are largely responsible for much of Task Force XII's success in Iraq."

For their efforts, the unit was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation by the Commander of Multi-National Forces – Iraq.

"The 412th didn't fly any missions, but for us it was all about flight hours," said the unit's commander, Lt. Col. Sam Hamontree. "Our goal was making sure the other battalions in the brigade had the maintenance to continue the missions."

Assuming the mission is the Minnesota National Guard-based 834th Aviation Support Battalion, part of the incoming Task Force 34.

During the ceremony, the incoming unit's commander, Lt. Col. Eric Waage, thanked the Soldiers of the 412th for their service and support as the 834th ASB trained for its upcoming tour of duty.

"The 834th is ready and eager to assume the mission," he said. "The troops are in place and ready to go."