08.23.2016
Story by 1st Lt. Aaron DeCapua
Camp Buehring, Kuwait – At a transfer of authority ceremony at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, the 77th Combat Aviation Brigade took charge of aviation missions within the U.S. Army Central’s area of operations.
The 77th Combat Aviation Brigade hailing from Arkansas and comprised of more than 1,200 troops from units in 11 different states and territories, replaced the 40th Combat Aviation Brigade.
The command team for the 77th CAB, Col. Ryan Pace and Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas Mize, took the controls from the Phoenix brigade, as the Peacemakers begin to make their mark in the U.S. Army Central region. As the Peacemakers arrived over this last month, an agility, expertise and mission centric focus has followed.
Maj. Gen William B. Hickman, U.S. Army Central Command’s Deputy General, emphasized confidence stating, “The 77th CAB is ready for this mission, training for months in order to make this mission happen.”
The 77th now has their marching orders, as this Combat Aviation Brigade follow in the footsteps of the 40th CAB spanning Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait.
Referencing the 40th CAB’s increased forward presence in the region, “I am humbled and honored in taking this mission” said Pace, Commander of the 77th CAB. “We will continue to build this house. To the Soldiers of the 77th; continue to maintain this momentum safely and to standard, embrace the challenges you face daily but enjoy the victories along the way. Lastly, commit yourselves daily to this mission, the unit, and your own personal development.”
The ceremonial uncasing of the 77th CAB colors marks the beginning of their tour, as they perform command and control for U.S. Army aviation missions. The assets they command include, AH-64 Apache’s, CH-47 Chinooks, the newest UH-60M Blackhawks, as well as unmanned aerial systems such as the MQ-1C Gray Eagle.
After the ceremony, the remaining Soldiers of the 40th CAB left for home. The 40th CAB has been deployed to the Middle East since December.
The 77th CAB is headquartered in North Little Rock, Arkansas, but has been joined by soldiers from across the United States and it's territories, including Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, and Wyoming.
As the sun sets on this chapter for the Phoenix Brigade they return home to family and friends, departing the region and leaving the Peacemakers to build upon the foundation laid. Today the Kuwaiti sun rises on those who will hold the torch commanding aviation operations in the region… the 77th CAB.
| Date Taken: | 08.23.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 08.26.2016 14:04 |
| Story ID: | 208314 |
| Location: | CAMP BUEHRING, KW |
| Web Views: | 328 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, The 77th Combat Aviation Brigade takes the controls, by Aaron DeCapua, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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