Aviation unit begins training for yearlong deployment

Photo By Master Sgt. Jeff Lowry | Indiana Army National Guard Capt. Paul Polyniak, Indianapolis, aims an M-16 rifle with a dime on the barrel as part of primary marksmanship instruction to test his trigger squeeze on May 31. Polyniak is an information systems manager with Headquarters Company, 38th Combat Aviation Brigade, based in Shelbyville, Ind. The unit is training at Camp Atterbury, Ind.  

CAMP ATTERBURY, IN, UNITED STATES

06.04.2009

Story by Staff Sgt. Jeff Lowry 

Indiana National Guard Headquarters

CAMP ATTERBURY, Ind. - Indiana National Guard's Headquarters Company, 38th Combat Aviation Brigade, based in Shelbyville, Ind., arrived here on June 2 to begin its nearly monthlong Warrior Task Training in preparation for its upcoming deployment to Iraq.

"I expect everyone to lean forward. It's an honor to serve your country overseas," said Col. David Wood, the brigade commander, to his nearly 130 Soldiers in formation.

While at the southern Indiana mobilization site the unit's Soldiers will focus on tasks essential to their success while deployed to Iraq. These tasks include military vehicle driver's training, weapons qualification, helicopter flight training and many others.

"It's always good to go back to basics and refresh those Warrior tasks," said Sgt. Marcus Lindsey, of Anderson, Ind., and a logistics noncommissioned officer with the brigade.

The unit is scheduled to depart early July for Fort Sill, Okla., for even more training prior to traveling to southwest Asia.

"The NCO is the key to our success during training and deployment," said Wood.
The unit will control several subordinate aviation units while deployed. The brigade, which will be known as Task Force 38 while in Iraq, is scheduled to be deployed for no longer than one year.

More than 250 Hoosier Guard Soldiers serving in aviation units are also deployed to southwest Asia. Approximately 150 Soldiers from three different companies of 2nd Battalion, 238th General Support Aviation are serving in Kuwait. And approximately 75 Soldiers from Company C, 1st Battalion, 137th Aviation are deployed to Iraq. Those units are also headquartered in Shelbyville, Ind. Approximately 40 Soldiers from 3-238th Air Traffic Services from Camp Atterbury are in Iraq as well.

• Date Taken: 06.04.2009
• Date Posted: 06.04.2009 14:58
• Story ID: 34550
• Location: CAMP ATTERBURY, IN, US