Photo By Capt. Patrick Montandon | Col. Michele Harper, Commander of the 449th Combat Aviation Brigade presents a North...... read more read more
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SALISBURY, NC – Charlie Company, 1st of the 131st Aviation Regiment, callsign “Killdevils,” of the North Carolina National Guard, held a deployment ceremony in Salisbury, NC, November 18, 2022, as they prepare to deploy to the National Capital Region.
Charlie Company is assigned to the 2-130th Airfield Operations Battalion (AOB), 449th Combat Aviation Brigade. The unit is a UH-60 Black Hawk unit with several aviation capabilities. They also work closely with the Department of Emergency Management as part of the North Carolina Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Team (NC HART). The ceremony included speeches from NC State Senator, Carl Ford, and leaders of the 2-130th AOB and Charlie Company.
“Thank you on behalf of the Senate,” said Senator Ford, stating this was his first time attending a deployment ceremony. “We couldn’t do what we do without you.”
Charlie Company will deploy in the coming months with over 60 Soldiers under the leadership of Captain Phil Howell and First Sgt. Charles Fitzpatrick. Howell’s parents, Phil and Vicki Howell, were in attendance supporting their son. They described how their son’s interest was piqued watching helicopters take off as a young boy.
“He always wanted to fly,” said Howell’s father Phil. He spoke of how he’s grown as leader of Soldiers, “He’s gained so much trust. It’s a great opportunity for him. I know he’ll do a good job.”
“To see him take off and land is awesome because it’s your child,” said Howell’s mother, Vicki.
For now, Soldiers of Charlie Company will say farewell to family and loved ones as they begin their mission. Nevertheless, Howell looks forward to putting their training to the test.
“It is a humbling privilege for me to be a part of this great organization as we embark on such a great and unique mission set in our national capital… Today we stand together as a team… I could not ask for a better group of Soldiers to represent the Killdevils and North Carolina than those sitting in front of me.”
| Date Taken: | 11.18.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 11.29.2022 08:25 |
| Story ID: | 433717 |
| Location: | SALISBURY, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 221 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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