Photo By Sgt. Roland Hale | Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Inf. Div. Commander Col. Frank Muth and Command Sgt. Maj....... read more read more
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BALAD, Iraq – As U.S. forces gradually leave Iraq, the need for the Army's aviation branch to provide transportation and aerial security for ground troops is paramount. Army aviation, however, is also required to reduce its presence in Iraq – a dilemma that the Army is addressing with the formation of a single, larger-than-ever aviation brigade.
The Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, which deployed to Iraq this spring, became United States Forces – Iraq's corps-level aviation brigade June 7, when it assumed responsibility of the 38th Combat Aviation Brigade's area of operation in a transfer of authority ceremony on Joint Base Balad. The CAB, 1st Inf. Div. is scheduled to conduct several more such ceremonies this summer, becoming the Army's sole aviation asset in the country by the end of August.
The CAB, 1st Inf. Div. will become the Enhanced Combat Aviation Brigade, and is the first Army unit to do so.
"The CAB is expanding, is growing in size, in both aviation assets and Soldiers," said CAB Commander Col. Frank Muth, "and at the same time its scope of responsibility is increasing to incorporate the entire country of Iraq."
The eCAB will command over 200 aircraft, seven battalions, and nearly 4,000 troops. The aircraft and the Soldiers that fly and maintain them will "conduct full-spectrum aviation operations across an area as long as California and as wide as Texas," said Muth.
"It [aviation support] allows for freedom of maneuver for our leaders and Soldiers, allowing them to move without being restricted to roads," said Muth.
The eCAB's transportation assets will not eliminate the use of roads in Iraq, however, putting some U.S. Soldiers at risk of improvised explosive device attacks – the number-one killer of Soldiers in Iraq. The CAB, 1st Inf. Div. attack and reconnaissance helicopters will also play a role in mitigating these risks.
"Our attack and reconnaissance assets allow for both route clearances and convoy security," said Muth.
Along with increased responsibility, troops and aircraft, the eCAB will continue to partner with helicopter units from the Iraqi Army.
The CAB is already partnering with Iraqi aviators in the Baghdad area, focusing mainly on scout and reconnaissance missions, said Muth. Also, at Camp Al Asad, CAB aviators recently participated in an air-ground integration exercise with Iraqi ground troops, whom they increasingly support as Iraqis lead combat operations.
The CAB, 1st Inf. Div.'s assumption of the 38th CAB's mission is the brigade's first step towards becoming an enhanced CAB. In September, the only Army aviation unit with a birds-eye view of the country – the eCAB – will play a key-role in the start of Operation New Dawn.
| Date Taken: | 06.07.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 06.10.2010 05:20 |
| Story ID: | 51156 |
| Location: | BALAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 274 |
| Downloads: | 211 |
This work, CAB, 1st Inf. Div. becomes corps-level CAB, expands across Iraq, by SGT Roland Hale, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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