Task Force 34 was a brigade-sized aviation task force assembled with Army National Guard units from 11 states and one U.S. Army battalion headquartered in Germany in order to support Operation Iraqi Freedom. They were based out of Joint Base Balad, Iraq, and had units stationed at more than a dozen locations throughout the country. Upon completion of their tour each unit transferred their authority to their counterparts in Task Force 449, who today carry on the Corps Combat Aviation Brigade mission, and began sending their Soldiers home.
Task Force 34's mission was to conduct combat aviation operations in support of Multi-National Corps—Iraq's full spectrum operations to defeat violent extremists and deny resurgence in order to protect the population and achieve sustainable security. On order Task Force 34 deployed aviation elements to crisis areas in support of scalable response forces. Task Force 34 units "have flown and supported tough, open-desert, Night Vision Goggle missions" according to Col. Clay Brock, Task Force 34 Commander. They have also "earned a tremendously positive reputation of flying MNC-I Soldiers and cargo throughout all parts of Iraq while supporting over 97% of our MNC-I mission sets."
2,400 dedicated Soldiers in the following units proudly served as part of Task Force 34.
Detailed mission success information can be found at www.TaskForce34.org
Task Force 34 Headquarters Company
Task Force 34 Headquarters and Headquarters Company provided command and control for all aspects of the TF and was formed from the 34th Combat Aviation Brigade HHC of the Minnesota National Guard based in St. Paul.
1-244 Assault Helicopter Battalion
Task Force VooDoo, 1-244 AHB conducted air assault and air movement operations in support of Multi-National Corps—Iraq with home units from Louisiana and Florida National Guard.
2-149 General Support Aviation Battalion
Task Force Joker, 2-149 GSAB conducted aviation combat support, heavy lift and aeromedical evacuation operations in support of Multi-National Corps—Iraq with home units from the Texas, Oklahoma and South Carolina National Guard.
2-641 Aviation Regiment
Task Force Cascade, 2-641 AVN provided commanders with fixed-wing airlift support by transporting high priority passengers and cargo throughout multiple operational theaters. TF Cascade is an Oregon National Guard based unit.
3-159 Attack Reconnaissance Battalion
Task Force Quickstrike, 3-159 ARB conducted base defense, utility helicopter escort, general security and attack reconnaissance missions throughout the Multi-National Corps—Iraq Area of Responsibility. The unit is based in Illesheim, Germany under the 12th Combat Aviation Brigade.
834 Aviation Support Battalion
Task Force Skater, 834 ASB conducted full spectrum operations including intermediate level to heavy aviation maintenance, fueling arming, and food service to support the Soldiers and aircraft of Task Force 34. The unit is from Minnesota, Iowa, Oklahoma and West Virginia National Guard.
C Company, 2-211 General Support Aviation Battalion
C Co., MEDEVAC, supported the Marines in Western Iraq with life saving aeromedical evacuation services throughout Al Anbar Province from three discrete locations. The unit is from Minnesota and Iowa National Guard.
F Company, 1-189 General Support Aviation Battalion
Home based at Camp Ripley, Minnesota, F Co. operated two air traffic control towers and provided air traffic control services in Mosul and Tall Afar Iraq.
Bettering Iraq
Since arriving at Joint Base Balad, Iraq in late 2008, the Soldiers of TF 34 constantly worked to improve their working and living areas. After the beginning of the rainy season at Joint Base Balad, the Soldiers built walkways to the latrines and, with the help of third country nationals as well as local nationals, built up the housing areas with rocks and pavers for walkways during floods.
Operational Milestones
Task Force 34 served as the Multi-National Corps—Iraq Combat Aviation Brigade during Operation Iraqi Freedom 08-10. The operational mission for Task Force 34 was supporting the MNC—I Commanding General's mission of defeating AQI and violent extremists, denying enemy resurgence, protecting the populace and achieving sustainable security.
The key tasks to meeting those mission requirements included: proactive aviation maintenance; combat operations with attack helicopters; medical evacuation, casualty evacuation; force protection and battlefield circulation of key leaders across the Iraq Theater.
Task Force 34, in order to accomplish the established missions and key tasks, was organized as follows: CAB Headquarters; one Assault Helicopter Battalion; one General Support Aviation Battalion; one Attack Reconnaissance Battalion; one fixed-wing Battalion and one Aviation Support Battalion.
— Task Force 34 consisted of 102 rotary wing and fixed wing aircraft, performing 37 daily mission sets, based out of four bed down locations across Iraq.
— In total, Task Force 34 executed over 5,600 combat missions totaling over 40,000 flight hours.
— Additional key Task Force 34 accomplishments included: transporting over 130,000 passengers and 11,670,000 pounds of cargo; conducted 120 phased maintenance inspections; conducted over 1,400 critical MEDEVAC missions; and transported over 2000 key senior U.S. military leaders to include the President of the United States, the President and Vice President Elect and countless Congressional delegation members.
— Other noteworthy operations included: conducting ground convoys to a local community to deliver fuel; conducting countless facility upgrades and improvements; assisting in the expansion of new, long term locations for U.S. Forces in central and southern Iraq; and helping to shape the future of Army Aviation assets in the Iraqi Theater.
Logistical Milestones
The logistical train for TF 34 units is significant and was stretched across the entirety of Iraq.
— TF 34 S4 shipped over one million short tons of equipment, requiring two separate cargo vessels.
— TF 34's footprint on Joint Base Balad covered over 2.5 sq. miles. At the peak of the deployment TF 34 housed over 2,000 people and 114 aircraft.
— Over six million dollars spent supporting the Corps CAB mission.
— Authored 20 Operational Needs Statement's ensuring funding was provided for the most mission essential shortages. Equipment ranging from maintenance stands to forward looking infrared systems.
— Conducted 'Rapid Fielding' of hundreds of items, including all of the 'Air Warrior' items and helicopter door guns.
— TF 34 was geographically located on at least 12 different operating bases
Bettering Morale
Being so far from home for the holidays can really take a toll on the morale of Soldiers. Units from across the Task Force celebrated such holidays as Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years with parties and festive activities.
Favorite sports include volleyball, softball, 5K runs, marathons, basketball, swimming, floor hockey, and dodgeball.
The West Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Center provides Task Force 34 Soldiers and all of the residents of the west side of Joint Base Balad, Iraq with activities to keep their spirits high when done with a busy work day. Soldiers used this facility to keep in touch with loved ones, practice physical fitness, and unwind with friends.
Favorite activities included internet café, phone booths, exercise equipment, movie room, video game room, pool tables, foosball tables, ping pong tournaments, libraries filled with donated books, board and card games, karaoke, poker tournaments, exercise classes, and guitar classes.