Army National Guard Aviation Soldiers Deploy to Afghanistan

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Soldiers of Detachment 1, Company B 3rd Battalion 126th Aviation during a change of command ceremony in 2010.

ROCHESTER, NY (05/22/2012)(readMedia)-- More than 55 New York Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to Detachment 1 of Company B, 3rd Battalion 126th Aviation Regiment will mobilize on May 23 to prepare for deployment to Afghanistan in July.

WHO: New York Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to Detachment 1 of B Company 3rd Battalion 126th Aviation Regiment. The unit flies the CH-47 D CHINOOK heavy lift helicopter. This is the second deployment to Afghanistan for the unit.

WHAT: A mobilization and deployment ceremony held at the Army Aviation Support Facility #2 in Rochester for the Soldiers and their family members. The Soldiers will depart for training at Fort Hood on May 24 and are expected to deploy for nine months in Afghanistan in July.

WHEN: 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 23, 2012.

WHERE: Army Aviation Support Facility, 76 Patriot Way Rochester, NY 14624

For access to this secure military facility members of the press must contact Warrant Office Christopher Seeger(christopher.c.seeger@ny.army.mil) at phone 585-783-5406.

Coverage Opportunities:

Imagery opportunities include the ceremony, and Soldiers interacting with family members. There will be opportunities to interview leaders, Soldiers and families.

BACKGROUND:

Detachment 1, Company B, 3rd Battalion 126th Aviation Regiment

Nicknamed "The Kong" Detachment 1 Company B. 3rd Battalion 126th Aviation (Heavy Lift) operates CH-47D Chinook helicopters from the Army Aviation Support Facility at Rochester International Airport.

The CH-47 is the Army's largest helicopter and can lift more than 30 Soldiers and carry 28,000 pounds of cargo. The 98-foot long, twin rotor helicopters are invaluable for moving troops and equipment in the mountains of Afghanistan.

The detachment-the other half of the company is part of the Maryland Army National Guard based in Edgewood, MD -- deployed to Afghanistan in 2007 and 2008. The company was recognized as the Army National Guard aviation unit of the year for 2008 by the Army Aviation Association of America (known as Quad A) for the company's accomplishments in Afghanistan, including participating in the largest Air Assault operation in that country since 2002.

In 2009 the detachment's pilots and other Soldiers trained Canadian Forces pilots to operate the CH-47 because all of that country's CH-47s were already deployed to Afghanistan. The detachment also sent Soldiers and helicopters to assist in the response to Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

In August and September 2011 CH-47s assigned to the detachment were used to move Federal Emergency Management Agency supplies during the National Guard's response to Tropical Storm Irene.