Alabama Guard Aviation Support Unit from Birmingham Set to Deploy

Release #: 2011082501

MONTGOMERY (08/25/2011)(readMedia)-- The Alabama Army National Guard's B Company, 1204th Aviation Support Battalion (ASB), out of Birmingham, has been called to active duty in support of Operation New Dawn.

A departure ceremony for the unit will be held in Trussville at the Trussville Civic Center, 5381 Trussville Clay Road, at 2 p.m., Friday, August 26, 2011.

The approximately 160 members of B Company are deploying to Iraq to provide aviation mission support in support of Operation New Dawn.

The unit will continue to undergo extensive mobilization training at a mobilization training station before deploying.

Local officials and senior Alabama National Guardsmen will attend the ceremony to send off B Company. The general public is invited and encouraged to attend the ceremony to show their support for the Soldiers and their families.

The Alabama National Guard has called more than 16,000 personnel to active duty since 9/11 and remains a top contributor among the nation's National Guard.