Army National Guardsmen transfer responsibility of the OIR/OSS aviation support mission

935th Aviation Support Battalion
Story by Sgt. Emily Finn

Date: 04.27.2019
Posted: 04.28.2019 03:31
News ID: 319804
Army National Guardsmen transfer responsibility of the OIR/OSS aviation support mission

CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait – U.S. Army Soldiers participated in a transfer of authority ceremony in the warrior tent at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, April 27, 2019.

Missouri Army National Guard’s 935th Aviation Support Battalion Commander, Lt. Col. Leif Thompson, and Command Sgt. Maj. Paul Durr encased the battalion colors signifying the completion of their nine-month deployment to the Middle East in support of Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve and Task Force Spartan, Operation Spartan Shield.

Task Force Workhorse was comprised of Illinois, South Dakota, Georgia and Missouri Army National Guardsmen. Their mission was to provide the 35th Combat Aviation Brigade and its subordinate units aviation and ground maintenance support, signal communication, bulk distribution and fuel, and staff planning to the brigade.

Spread out across multiple countries, the unit relied on their junior Soldiers and noncommissioned officers to carry out daily operations.

“I’m truly in awe and frankly humbled to have had a front row seat to see these junior leaders step up and grow,” said Durr. “They’ve taken the reins and ownership of the mission, along with taking care of their Soldiers. Not only were they extremely successful, but they’ve raised the bar, surpassing many of my expectations. We couldn’t be more proud of the entire Workhorse team.”

During their rotation, the 935th ASB completed more than 500 ground cargo distribution missions, drove more than 100,000 miles, maintained a 98.5 percent equipment readiness rating through their ground maintenance shop, sustained communication operations in more than five locations across the 35th CAB’s areas of operation, administered care to nearly 1,500 Soldiers at the combined aid station, supplied more than 300,000 gallons of fuel to multiple locations and completed nine aviation phase maintenance operations.

Thompson thanked the 935th ASB Soldiers during the ceremony, stating, “You all are truly the silent professionals, the behind the scenes Soldiers that make everything happen. Without you, the combat aviation brigade would not function.”

The 935th ASB transferred authority of the mission to the 638th Aviation Support Battalion, Indiana Army National Guard, Commander Lt. Col. T.J. Pope and Command Sgt. Maj. Elizabeth Daniels.