CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait — A Maryland National Guard soldier deployed to Kuwait with the 29th Combat Aviation Brigade received a holiday phone call today from President Barack Obama.
Sgt. Samantha Sherrill, F Company, 1st Battalion, 111th General Support Aviation Battalion, which falls under the 29th Combat Aviation Brigade, was chosen by her command to represent the unit and speak to President Obama on Christmas morning. The president expressed gratitude for her service on behalf of the American people.
“He asked me to tell everyone he thanks us and our families for their sacrifices,” said Sherrill.
Sherrill’s military occupation is an air traffic controller. She works full time for the Maryland National Guard and is studying to be a physician’s assistant. When not deployed, she lives in Randallstown, Md. While stationed at Camp Taji, Iraq, Sherrill became a Certified Tower Operator and trained Iraqi air traffic controllers in preparation for the U.S. departure.
“I felt very confident in the Iraqi controllers we left behind,” said Sherrill. “We completed the mission we were assigned, and I wish the Iraqis success in the future.”
The 29th Combat Aviation Brigade, comprised of units from approximately 25 states and territories, was mobilized in September 2011 and deployed to Iraq and Kuwait in support of Operation New Dawn. As the last combat aviation brigade in Iraq, members of the unit flew the last aircraft out of Iraq on Dec. 18.