Photo By Master Sgt. Jeff Lowry | Indiana National Guard Sgt. Ray Lowry, Lebanon, Ind. and a quality control...... read more read more
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By Staff Sgt. Jeff Lowry
Indiana National Guard
SHELBYVILLE, Ind. - More Indiana National Guard Soldiers are flying away to answer their nation's call in the Global War in Terrorism.
Their friends, family, loved ones and peers gathered for a mobilization ceremony on Saturday, Jan. 3.
"You're going as a team, and you're going with a great team," said Maj. Gen. Tod Carmony, 38th Infantry Division commander of the approximately 75 Soldiers with Company C, 1st Battalion, 137th Aviation Brigade based in Shelbyville, Ind. The 38th Combat Aviation Brigade commander, Col. David C. Wood, agreed.
"The Soldiers are ready, and their leadership is outstanding," said Wood.
The 137th troops will train at Fort Sill, Okla. for about two months before departing the states to support Operation Iraqi Freedom. Their missions overseas will include providing aviation support for command and control operations and air transportation of personnel, equipment and supplies.
During the ceremony, the leaders praised the Soldiers' families and said their support is vital to those deploying.
"We do want to thank the family members, remember, those who wait also serve," said Maj. Gen. Carmony.
"That care turns into mission success," said Wood of loved ones' support from the heartland.
Hundreds of loved ones showed up for the ceremony. The Degelow family, Rush County, came out to support Chief Warrant Officer John Degelow a Blackhawk pilot with the unit.
"I'm happy for him," said Brian, one of the pilot's sons. "It's his last hoorah, and I know he's always wanted to go [be deployed]."
The aviator is looking forward to his forthcoming deployment.
"I'm ready to go and do my job," said the pilot.
Company C should be mobilized and deployed for about a year.
The commander of the unit is Capt. Rodney Gervais and the top enlisted Soldier for 1st Sgt. James Hudnall.
In November, nearly 150 brigade Soldiers with the 2nd Battalion, 238th General Support Aviation mobilized for their deployment to Kuwait.
| Date Taken: | 01.03.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 01.06.2009 10:02 |
| Story ID: | 28506 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 157 |
| Downloads: | 111 |
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