Send-Off Event Held for North Dakota Army National Guard Soldiers Heading for Iraq

Photo By William Prokopyk | Spc. Daniel J. Fitzner smiles as his sister, Ashley Bakkegard, replaces the colored U.S. Flag patch with a camouflaged U.S. Flag on his uniform at the Company C, 2-285th Aviation Battalion sendoff in Bismarck, N.D., Sept. 30. The camouflaged flag is worn in combat zones and its affixing by a family member or close friend is symbolic of the unit transition to from a peacetime environment to a war zone mobilization.  

BISMARCK, UNITED STATES

10.01.2009

Story by William Prokopyk 

North Dakota National Guard Public Affairs

BISMARCK, N.D. - Well-wishers, friends and family gathered Sept. 30 at the Bismarck Army Aviation Support Facility complex in Bismarck for a send-off ceremony held in honor of Soldiers of Company C, 2-285th Aviation Battalion as they prepare to leave for a yearlong deployment to Iraq. The Soldiers are part of 2-285th Air Assault Battalion headquartered out of Arizona.

"Our country knows it can turn to North Dakota for some of the nation's most capable Soldiers," said Gov. John Hoeven. "Our Soldiers have been engaged in defending our liberties, peacekeeping missions abroad, as well as standing ready to answer the call at home as they did during this year's flood flight."

The Soldiers will depart North Dakota the first part of October to attend training at their mobilization station in Oklahoma before deploying to Iraq.

As part of their departure, a fly-over is scheduled for 10 a.m. Oct. 5 at the Capitol as the Soldiers leave the state.

"Members of this company have a vast amount of experience and knowledge, and together, their skills and teamwork create the core of professionalism that is needed for their mission," said Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, North Dakota National Guard adjutant general. "They will be successful as the nation calls them to duty, and while away, the Soldiers can be assured that we will support their loved ones. Both the families and our Soldiers deserve thanks as they continue to sacrifice to serve our nation."

Company C, 2-285th Aviation Battalion is comprised of 10 helicopters and crews of which North Dakota has five, and the other half of the company is from West Jordan, Utah. The company is primarily made up of pilots and crew chiefs, but also includes door gunners, mechanics, fuelers and flight operations personnel.

Company C, 2-285th Aviation Battalion was alerted for mobilization in June 2009. It is commanded by Capt. Douglas Larsen, of Granville, N.D., and 1st Sgt. Daniel Marquart, of Bismarck, serves as the unit's senior enlisted Soldier.

• Date Taken: 10.01.2009
• Date Posted: 10.01.2009 10:54
• Story ID: 39539
• Location: BISMARCK, US