Standing Tall, Ready to Go

Spec. Amanda Jo Brown

TF Phoenix UPAR

Fort Drum, N.Y.  --   Soldiers of the 3rd General Support Aviation Battalion, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain (LI) Division, held a deployment ceremony here August 5, for their fellow Soldiers in the battalion’s medical evacuation company, C Company, who are preparing to leave to Afghanistan a couple months earlier than the rest of the brigade.

These Soldiers departed from Iraq less than 11 months ago.  C Company must once again say goodbye to their families after only a few short months filled with training and preparation. 

The unit flew over 1,400 hours, trained and qualified over 100 crewmembers, all while continuing missions while in garrison and performing other necessary training.  The unit’s commander, Maj. Michael McFadden, also sent all of his pilots through High Altitude Aviation Training in Colorado, supported every High Altitude Mountain Environmental Training rotation in the brigade, and conducted three medical rotations for medics to receive real world trauma experience.

“These tremendous accomplishments can only be attributed to the dedication, motivation, and professionalism of the Soldiers and non-commissioned officers,” McFadden said.

Family members sat and watched as their Soldiers’ colors were wrapped and covered for deployment.  There were many misty eyes as the 10th Mountain Division band’s music sent the MEDEVAC unit out with style.

“We all recognize that the impact upon Soldiers and families has been significant, especially for those individual Soldiers returning to combat operations after redeploying from Iraq with this brigade.  [The families] deserve tremendous recognition for supporting their Soldier as he or she executes this crucial mission,” remarked Col. Pedro Almeida, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade commander.