1st ACB commander, Soldiers join for 'Maintenance Fun Run'

Photo By Rick Emert | Col. Dan Shanahan, front left, commander of 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, and Chief Warrant Officer Don Washabaugh, front center, lead brigade maintenance Soldiers in a 'Maintenance Fun Run' Feb. 22 at Camp Taji. Shanahan said he ran with the maintenance Soldiers to "...let our maintainers know that I know that their role in the success of this fight in Iraq was paramount."  

TAJI, IRAQ

02.26.2007

Story by Sgt. 1st Class Rick Emert 

1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs

By Sgt. 1st Class Rick Emert
1st ACB, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs

TAJI, Iraq – The sun was just coming up in the east when the 1st Air Cavalry Brigade started a "Maintenance Fun Run" Feb. 22.

The event was led by brigade commander Col. Dan Shanahan, of Traverse City, Mich., and the brigade aviation maintenance officer Chief Warrant Officer Don Washabaugh, of Killeen, Texas.

"I just wanted to let our maintainers know that I know that their role in the success of this fight in Iraq was paramount," Shanahan said. "The Air Cavalry Brigade is the best in Iraq because of the efforts of the maintainers. We are fortunate to have men and women who pour their heart and soul into their work, ensuring first class maintenance operations."

"Twenty-four hours a day, these troopers and our civilian contractors are conducting the maintenance required to safely fly our combat aircraft over the skies of Baghdad, Iraq, where we are defending freedom forward."

Shanahan, who has led the brigade since 2005, said he believes the Soldiers and contractors are giving 110 percent very day. The run on Feb. 22 was an opportunity to gather together, have a little fun while showing unit esprit de corps, and allow the leadership to thank these dedicated professionals, he said.

The brigade has been in Iraq since October and is flying at a record pace while maintaining high readiness rates and an unmatched safety record. The brigade provides aviation support in the form of medical evacuation operations, personnel and cargo movement across Baghdad, and attack helicopter operations all in support of the ground units in and around Baghdad.

"We are flying Iraqis on every air assault and probably 15 percent of our air movements are in support of the Iraqis," said Lt. Col. Mike Shenk, of Carlisle, Pa., the commander of 3rd Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment.

"When we fly – Soldiers don't die," is the mantra shared by Lt. Col. Chris Joslin, commander of 2nd Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, who hails from Reno, Nev. Joslin, who commands the MEDEVAC and heavy lift units, is in Iraq for his second tour. Many of the Soldiers in the Air Cavalry Brigade are on their second or third tours of duty in Iraq.

The Soldiers had an enjoyable time on the run, where brigade Soldiers from the maintenance units joined the brigade commander and the brigade aviation maintenance officer in a run around Camp Taji.

"This will probably be our last run like this," Shanahan said. "We need those great troopers out there on the flight line and in the hangars performing their maintenance duties, but this one time was fun. Have fun Air Cav Brigade. Run hard – run Army strong."

• Date Taken: 02.26.2007
• Date Posted: 02.26.2007 11:11
• Story ID: 9243
• Location: TAJI, IQ