MEDEVAC unit transfers authority south of Baghdad

Photo By Master Sgt. Thomas Mills | Capt. Timothy Stoner (left), commander, and 1st Sgt. Timothy Barr, both with Company C, 2nd Battalion, 238th Aviation Regiment, prepare to case the company guidon during their transfer of authority ceremony at Tallil Airbase, Iraq, April 13.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

04.14.2008

Courtesy Story

3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division

By 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division

CAMP STRIKER, Iraq – A National Guard aero-medical evacuation helicopter unit transferred authority of their area of operations in a ceremony, April 13, at Tallil Airbase, south of Baghdad.

Company C, 2nd Battalion, 238th Aviation Regiment, spent nine months attached to the Combat Aviation Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division supporting Multi-National Division – Center, and other units in the south.

The unit, based out of Indiana with a detachment from Colorado, flew 4,000 flight hours, translating to more than 1,000 missions in that nine-month period.

Their deployment totaled 12 months away from home – three months at Fort Sill, Okla., and nine months in Iraq.

Company C, 2-238th Avn. Regt. is replaced by Company C, 1st Battalion, 126th Aviation Regiment.

The incoming unit is based out of Maine and is projected for a nine-month deployment.

The 3rd CAB commander, Col. Dan Ball, praised the outgoing unit for their safety record considering the amount of missions they flew. Ball said the outgoing unit had saved many lives during their deployment.

"I appreciate everything you've done," Ball said to the outgoing MEDEVAC Soldiers, "and I know (Co. C, 1-126th Avn. Regt.) will do a great job as well."

Co. C, 1-126th Avn. Regt. brings with it a group of Soldiers already experienced in Iraq. Ball pointed out they have a Soldier who served two tours in Vietnam as well.

• Date Taken: 04.14.2008
• Date Posted: 04.14.2008 15:56
• Story ID: 18427
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ