Task Force Denali Soldiers honored in redeployment ceremony

Photo By Staff Sgt. Brooks Fletcher | Soldiers of Task Force Denali stand in formation during the redeployment ceremony held in the Physical Fitness Center, Jan. 19, at Fort Wainwright, Alaska. The task force spent three months providing humanitarian assistance in support of flood relief operations in Pakistan.  

FAIRBANKS, AK, UNITED STATES

01.19.2011

Story by Sgt. Brooks Fletcher 

16th Combat Aviation Brigade

FORT WAINWRIGHT, Alaska - Soldiers and family members gathered in the Physical Fitness Center to formally welcome home the troops of Task Force Denali during a redeployment ceremony, Jan. 19, at Fort Wainwright, Alaska.

"The real success of this mission has to do with each and every soldier standing here today," said Col. Robert Werthman, commander, 16th Combat Aviation Brigade. "They have executed their duties flawlessly, acted as superb ambassadors and helped a country in need."

Soldiers and family members gathered in the Physical Fitness Center to formally welcome home the troops of Task Force Denali during a redeployment ceremony, Jan. 19 at Fort Wainwright, Alaska.

Task Force Denali, composed of soldiers from 1st Battalion, 52nd Aviation Regiment, 16th CAB and supporting elements from U.S. Army Alaska, spent three months providing humanitarian assistance in support of flood relief operations in Pakistan.

In full cooperation with Pakistan military, U.S. aircraft flew more than 26 million pounds of relief supplies and rescued more than 40,000 people.

The task force flew over 3,500 flight hours, delivered 14 million pounds of relief supplies and carried over 28,000 evacuees and passengers. This represents approximately 50 percent of flood relief delivered and 70 percent of evacuees and passengers carried.

This operation was the brigade's first deployment since its inception on Oct. 16, 2009.

"Task Force Denali's deployment and mission success has set the tone for a distinguished future," concluded Werthman.

• Date Taken: 01.19.2011
• Date Posted: 01.20.2011 18:41
• Story ID: 63896
• Location: FAIRBANKS, AK, US