Superheroes serve in Iraq

Photo By Master Sgt. Lynette Hoke | "Batman has the coolest gadgets," said Sgt. Donovan R. Vanmol, B. Company, 'Batman' from Task Force 34, 1st Battalion, 244th Assault Helicopter Battalion, holds his company's patch. The native of Alexandria, Louisiana has been in the guard for two years.  

IRAQ

03.06.2009

Story by Staff Sgt. Lynette Hoke 

34th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade

Military members are often called 'heroes' for their dedication, selfless service, honor and integrity to the mission at hand, stateside or abroad. For a battalion of deployed Louisiana and Florida National Guardsmen, they took the title to the next level.

The Soldiers of 1st Battalion 244th Assault Helicopter Battalion have taken on the names of the Superheroes which have taken on their likeness.

"The Superhero themes of the 1-244th AHB started around the winter of 1999," said Chief Warrant Officer 4 Reggie Lane, standardization officer, 1-244th AHB Bravo Co. "I was the training officer for A Co., 1-244th AHB and an order came out to turn in "Hollywood" call signs to be named after cartoon characters."

Finding a Name

"I turned in the call sign "Superman" for Alpha Company fully expecting the battalion commander to reject it because it wasn't cartoonish enough," Chief Warrant Officer 4 Lane said. "I was ready to defend my position based on the animated Superman series which was airing at the time ... to my relief, he accepted it."

"It wasn't long after that the other companies decided to follow suit starting with Headquarters Company choosing Spiderman and Bravo Company (formerly Charlie Company) going with Batman and Delta Company went with Ironman," he said. "Our Echo Company chose 'Juggernaut,' the seemingly unstoppable crushing force from the X-Men series."

What's in a Name?

The names of comic Superheroes which were turned in reflected the characteristics of companies within 1-244th AHB.

"Most of the company feels that we are sometimes 'Supermen,'" said Sgt. Brian Marquez, crew chief, A. Co. 1-244th AHB. "We are called to complete missions that have been passed by other units that they couldn't complete. We are the "men of steel!"

"With his range of abilities, Superman is also the most powerful Superhero, faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, able to leap tall buildings and can fly like a bird," said Sgt. Marquez, a native of Covington, La. "Every little boy wants to be like Superman, not only because of super-abilities, but also because of his humbled and compassionate heart."

After the naming of the companies took off, more than just the names spread quickly throughout the battalion.

"After that, in order to boost morale and promote Esprit de Corps, we started buying every Warner Brothers product that had a Superman logo we could find," said Chief Warrant Officer 4 Lane, and native of Slidell, La. "Soon we had Superman patches on our flight suits and the big Superman "S" silkscreened on our T-shirts under our flight suits."

"Florida's Charlie Company served with the 1-244th AHB in OIF 2004-2005. They stuck with "Privateers," which suits their Florida roots," said Chief Warrant Officer 4 Lane.

According to the first few lines of Charlie Company's, Privateers 'Official Proclamation', "The title 'Privateer' is not just a name it is a piece of history. Originally hired by the governing officials of America's original colonies, the privateers were empowered to act on their behalf to defend the coastal waters and lands of our new nation."

"As we move into a new era, the new privateers of Florida move from the ocean waters to the skies above. These proud professionals who wear this emblem have committed their lives to the service and defense of Florida's citizens from all enemies as well as to the consumption of all beers both foreign and domestic."

In the End

"With all the Louisiana companies now using Superheros, I thought we should change the Battalion's call-sign to "Justice" after the Justice League," Chief Warrant Officer 4 Lane said. "It would also be fitting due to the battalion commander's family history; his father was a judge and the commander himself was, and still is a lawyer."

Since the original home of the 1-244th AHB is New Orleans, La., the battalion decided to stick with "VOODOO." The actual aircraft call-signs, approved for use in the U.S. National Airspace System, is "MOJO." "VOODOO" was taken by someone else.

"MOJO" means a "VOODOO" magic charm or spell. Another definition is supernatural power or luck. These call signs just fit the 1-244th AHB, which is rich in a culture that can only be Louisiana.

All the Soldiers of 1-244th AHB are expected to pack their capes, spider suits and costumes and redeploy back to the United States by early spring.

• Date Taken: 03.06.2009
• Date Posted: 04.03.2009 08:19
• Story ID: 31954
• Location: IQ