First Army Guard Aviation Brigade Called to Duty

Defend America News ^ | Master Sgt. Lek Mateo

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U.S. Army Capt. Randal D. Wright of Ore, Texas, gives his 3-year-old daugher, Aspen, a drink of water after the official sendoff ceremony for the 36th Combat Aviation Brigade at the Leo Buckley Stadium in Killeen, Texas, July 30, 2006. He is a member of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2/135 General Support Aviation Battalion, Colorado Army National Guard. U.S. Army photo by Master Sgt. Lek Mateo | More Photos |
First Army Guard Aviation Brigade Called to Duty
Family, friends bid farewell to soldiers as they leave for 12-month tour in Iraq.
By U.S. Army Master Sgt. Lek Mateo 36th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office Texas Army National Guard FORT HOOD, Texas, Aug. 4, 2006 -- The long slow months of combat training in the sweltering Texas summer heat has come to an end for the soldiers of the 36th Combat Aviation Brigade as they prepared to embark on the final leg of their odyssey to Iraq for the next 12 months. "I am honored to stand here with you today and am proud of each of you and your families for your sacrifice and dedication" Col. Vernon A. Sevier Jr., 36th Combat Aviation Brigade commander The Texas Army National Guard’s 36th CAB, 36th Infantry Division (T-Patchers), consisting of approximately 2,700 soldiers from 44 states, is the first Army National Guard aviation brigade called to duty for Operation Iraqi Freedom.    The unit completed half a year of intense flight and theater immersion training at Fort Hood, Texas, and at the Army Aviation Center at Fort Rucker, Ala., in preparation for its multi-spectrum mission in support of the Multi-National Corps Iraq. First U.S. Army Commander Lt. Gen Russel L. Honore deemed the 36th CAB combat ready during an official send-off ceremony at the Leo Buckley High School Stadium in Killeen, Texas, where more than 1,000 family members and friends came to bid farewell to their loved ones. Honore started the ceremony by motivating the men and woman standing on the bright green football field by yelling the unit's motto, “Mustang!” The soldiers roared back with a thunderous “Fit to fight!”  ”It's great to be here today with the most well trained combat ready aviation brigade in the United States Army,” Honore said. The general told the soldiers that, although they come from various states throughout America, they all have trained hard together as one team in preparation for combat and that they were tenacious, tough and aggressive, which is everything a commander would want in a combat formation. “America is proud of you, your states are proud of you, and you carry their pride on your shoulder,” added the general.      Maj. Gen. Charles G. Rodriguez, adjutant general of Texas, spoke on behalf of the adjutant generals of Alabama, Colorado, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska and Utah, whose soldiers stood shoulder-to-shoulder in formation with the Texans. “We awaken every morning thinking of you and the freedom you provide and your selfless courage and determination to keep America free,” Rodriguez said.	Col. Vernon A. Sevier Jr., 36th CAB commander, acknowledged the sadness that they all feel in having to leave their loved ones and friends to go and serve their country for the next year. He recognized the tremendous sacrifices of their families, friends and employers and the overwhelming support they give that allows the soldiers to perform their mission. Sevier praised the soldiers for their accomplishments during their training.  “I am honored to stand here with you today and am proud of each of you and your families for your sacrifice and dedication,” Sevier said. “As we deploy forward, be confident in your training, equipment and most importantly have confidence in you and your fellow soldiers.... We will not let each other down.”  Sgt. Teddy J. Cole, of San Antonio and a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter crew chief with Company C, 1/108 Aviation Battalion, based in Austin, Texas, said that he has been an aviator for 18 years and that this is his first combat deployment. Cole acknowledged that the year in Iraq will be long and dangerous but said the training they have received was excellent and will help them execute their mission and bring them all back home safely. The noncommissioned officer explained that being away from his family would be hard especially for his wife who must take care of their 11 children without him. Cole said he is confident that his wife will take care of matters on the home front while he is away and that he hopes his family will be proud of him for serving. “I hope my wife and children will be proud of all the soldiers who are going to Iraq with me to perform this very important mission,” Cole said. Ginger Cole said that the most difficult part for her is not knowing what her husband will be doing every day.   She said the one thing that gives her and her children comfort is knowing that he is going to Iraq for a purpose and that he is doing the job that he loves. “My husband and the rest of the soldiers who are going to Iraq with him are truly heroes because they are ensuring our freedom and are going to help the Iraqi people secure their freedom and have a better life for their children.”

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The Texas "T" and families!