CAMP TAJI, Iraq – While Operation New Dawn has changed the role of most U.S. forces in Iraq, it has not curbed the momentum of an Army aviation brigade from Fort Riley, Kan.
For the Enhanced Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, operations actually increased after most of the combat troops left. Since March the brigade has flown over 100,000 hours, moving more than 230,000 passengers and 7.5 million pounds of cargo.
Flying out of 14 locations across Iraq, nearly every helicopter in the country wears the unit’s distinct “Big Red One” patch. If an aircraft doesn’t wear the patch, it likely still belongs to it, as the brigade is now the Army’s only aviation brigade deployed here.
Despite their busy schedule, the brigade’s aviators have noticed a difference here.
“The mission isn’t done yet, though there is some sense of accomplishment,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Jim Thomson, the brigade’s senior enlisted soldier.
Thomson noted several indications of progress his crews see from the air.
“Flying over the cities at night there’s many more neighborhoods lit with lights,” he said, “and there is a sense that in the end when the mission is over it’s going to be an accomplishment.”
“Even flying over Iraq now there is much more fertile farm land than there was just a few years ago,” he said.
For Chief Warrant Officer 2 Joval Eblen, progress is evident in some of the missions he has flown this tour.
A few months ago Eblen and another pilot from one of the brigade’s subordinate battalions flew a partnership mission with aviators from an Iraqi squadron. While the mission involved some training, it was primarily intended to strengthen relations between the two militaries, said Eblen.
“They know this place better than we do,” said Eblen. “When it comes to operations I think they’re absolutely ready to defend and support their country.”
The brigade has also partnered with the Iraqi army in the specialties of air traffic controller, vehicle maintenance and rifle marksmanship. The troops are ready to hand over the mission to the Iraqis, said Eblen.
The brigade will begin its return to Fort Riley this spring. It is scheduled to be replaced by the California National Guard’s 40th Combat Aviation Brigade.
| Date Taken: |
01.06.2011 |
| Date Posted: |
01.06.2011 03:00 |
| Story ID: |
63084 |
| Location: |
CAMP TAJI, IQ |
| Web Views: |
219 |
| Downloads: |
0 |
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This work, Army’s sole aviation brigade in Iraq sees success from above, by SGT Roland Hale, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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