Maintenance window scheduled to begin at February 14th 2200 est. until 0400 est. February 15th

(e.g. yourname@email.com)

Forgot Password?

    Defense Visual Information Distribution Service Logo

    Quick Strike Battalion relieves Gunslingers in Iraq

    Quick Strike Battalion Relieves Gunslingers in Iraq

    Photo By Sgt. Maj. Chris Seaton | 3rd Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, 159th Aviation Regiment Commander, Lt. Col. Brian...... read more read more

    JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq – The Soldiers of the 3rd "Quick Strike" Battalion, 159th Aviation Regiment officially assumed the Attack Reconnaissance mission for Multi-National Corps – Iraq from their sister unit, 2nd "Gunslinger" Battalion, 159th Aviation Regiment at a ceremony here Aug. 18, 2008.

    Both units hail from Illesheim, Germany and fly the AH-64D Longbow Apache attack helicopter for U.S. Army Europe's 12th Combat Aviation Brigade. During the majority of their upcoming rotation to Iraq, the incoming 3-159th will serve as part of Task Force 34, headed by the Minnesota National Guard's 34th Combat Aviation Brigade.

    Because most of its parent brigade, the 12th CAB, has been deployed since last summer, 3-159th has prepared for the deployment largely on its own. Battalion leaders say the unit relied heavily on lessons learned by the outgoing 2-159th to prepare for challenges in Iraq.

    "We did a lot of valuable training at home station," said 3rd Battalion Commander, Lt. Col. Brian Dillon. "But certainly the best and most important training we've received has been here in Iraq, working with our sister battalion [during a two week relief in place]."

    In 15 months in combat, the 'Gunslingers' flew more than 23,000 hours and nearly 2,500 combat missions in support of troops on the ground throughout Iraq.

    "The 'Gunslinger' call sign is known and respected from Ramadi to Al-Amara and from Mosul to Basra," said 12th CAB Commander, Col. Timothy Edens. "They have set the standard by which those who follow will be measured."

    "It's not about the number of hours flown or the ordnance we've expended, it's about the support we've provided to the Soldier on the ground," said 2nd Battalion Commander, Lt. Col. Kevin Christensen. "To any [attack reconnaissance battalion], the ultimate accolade you can achieve is the respect of the ground commanders that you support."

    During the ceremony Dillon thanked the Soldiers of the 2-159th and promised to build on their legacy.

    "We'll continue to learn as an organization, and we'll never stop looking for ways to improve our support to Soldiers on the ground," he said.

    (Sgt. 1st Class Chris Seaton writes for the 12th Combat Aviation Brigade Public Affairs Office)

    LEAVE A COMMENT

    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 08.19.2008
    Date Posted: 08.27.2008 13:11
    Story ID: 22932
    Location: BALAD, IQ

    Web Views: 297
    Downloads: 155

    PUBLIC DOMAIN