40th CAB takes to the sky in Kuwait

Photo By 94th Airlift Wing | Spc. Kevin Palomera, a human resources specialist in the 40th Combat Aviation Brigade, presents the brigade colors for Col. Jeffrey Holliday, commander of the 40th CAB, at the Transfer of Authority Ceremony with the 185th Theater Aviation Brigade at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, Dec. 20. Holliday relieved his TAB counterpart Col. Ronald Beckham. (Photo by Spc. Megan O’Malley, 40th Combat Aviation Brigade Public Affairs)  

CAMP BUEHRING, KUWAIT

12.20.2015

Story by Sgt. Ian Kummer 

40th Combat Aviation Brigade

CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait – The 40th Combat Aviation Brigade officially took charge of all aviation operations within U.S. Army Central’s area of responsibility during a transfer of authority ceremony at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, Dec. 20.

More than 1,000 Soldiers with the 40th CAB have replaced the 185th Theater Aviation Brigade in support of U.S. Army Central’s mission of building partner capacity and promoting regional security.

The 40th CAB’s command team, Col. Jeffrey Holliday and Command Sgt. Maj. Troy Eck, have officially taken the reigns from the 185th TAB’s Col. Ronald Beckham and Command Sgt. Maj. Willie Ross.

“It’s a great honor to take over this mission from the 185th TAB,” Holliday said. “They did such an outstanding job of building relationships with our partners in the Middle East.”

Shortly after the ceremony, the remaining Soldiers of the 185th TAB left for home. The 185th TAB has been deployed to the Middle East since April.

The 40th CAB is headquartered in Fresno, California, but has been joined by men and women from all over the United States, including Arizona, Arkansas, Oregon, Montana, Pennsylvania, Utah, Washington and West Virginia.

“The 40th CAB works diligently with our partner nations to stabilize the region, providing a unified front against any threat,” said Capt. Robert Rodriguez, the 40th CAB partnership officer.

First Battalion, 140th Aviation Regiment, 40th CAB has taken control of a fleet of aircraft including UH-60 Black Hawks, CH-47 Chinooks and Gray Eagle unmanned aerial systems. The CAB’s 640th Aviation Support Battalion operates the brigade’s ground fleet, including Palletized Load Systems, Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Trucks and Humvees.

In the hours and days following the ceremony, the remaining Soldiers with the 185th TAB departed for good, leaving their 40th CAB counterparts to carry on the mission. As a chapter in the 185th TAB’s history draws to a successful close, a new one has begun for the 40th CAB.

“It’s sad to see them go,” said Sgt. Kristen Kaminski, an aviation operations specialist in Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 40th CAB. “They really knew their jobs and they’re good people.”

• Date Taken: 12.20.2015
• Date Posted: 12.29.2015 12:57
• Story ID: 185427
• Location: CAMP BUEHRING, KW
• Hometown: FRESNO, CA, US
• Hometown: LOS ALAMITOS, CA, US
• Hometown: SACRAMENTO, CA, US