3rd Combat Aviation Brigade arrives in Iraq

Courtesy Photo | Spc. Kelly Steckler (left), Chief Warrant Officer Matt Spawn (middle) and Sgt. Cardone Nixon, A Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment perform last-minute preparations before flying north to Baghdad International Airport from Udairi Airfield, Kuwait.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

05.30.2007

Courtesy Story

Multi-National Division-Central

3rd CAB PAO release

CAMP STRIKER, IRAQ – Soldiers from the 3rd Infantry Division's Combat Aviation Brigade arrived at Baghdad International Airport in late May to support Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The CAB will support the 3rd Infantry Division's operation in and around Baghdad, said Col. Daniel L. Ball, the 3rd CAB commander.

"We're here to support the surge policy put in place to quell the insurgency here in Baghdad," said Ball.

The CAB deployed from Hunter Army Airfield to Kuwait in early May, mostly intact, leaving 3rd Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment behind. Working with the CAB in Baghdad is 3rd Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment of the 10th Mountain Division from Fort Drum, N.Y.

The cavalry regiment brings a unique capability to 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, according to Ball. The 3-17 Cav.'s OH-58D Kiowa Warrior scout helicopters, with advanced optics and sensors, give the cavalry Soldiers the ability to better see the enemy in support of the brigade's operations, he said.

The 3rd CAB is normally made up of UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, AH-64D Apache Longbow attack helicopters, and CH-47D Chinook helicopters.

This deployment marks the bridade's third deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 2003. The brigade's previous deployments were during the initial invasion into Iraq, and OIF III in 2005.

"We're continuing a proud tradition built by the combat aviation brigade," said Ball.

The 3rd CAB is based out of Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah, Ga.

• Date Taken: 05.30.2007
• Date Posted: 05.30.2007 10:55
• Story ID: 10575
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ