Bangor-based MEDEVAC Unit to Deploy to Afghanistan

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BANGOR, ME (04/19/2018) (readMedia)-- The Maine Army National Guard held a sendoff ceremony for Company G, 3-126th General Support Aviation Battalion (MEDEVAC) at Bangor High School today to honor the unit as they deploy to Afghanistan.

The ceremony was attended by Governor Paul R. LePage, local elected officials, community members, friends and family.

Gov. LePage offered words of comfort to both the deploying soldiers and their families:

"Soldiers of Company G; I want you to stay focused on your mission overseas," LePage said. "I want you to be safe, and to take comfort that all of us back home, including the first lady and I, will be looking out for your families while you are performing your duties."

Company G will be deploying later this spring to Afghanistan for approximately one year. The unit is an Aeromedical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) company that provides emergency enroute patient care, and movement of medical personnel and medical supplies in a theater of operations. The unit includes Soldiers from Maine, Washington DC and Idaho.

"I am confident that your leadership will create the conditions to succeed," said Brig. Gen. Hugh Corbett, Assistant Adjutant General for the Maine Army National Guard. "Both are seasoned leaders. Both have multiple deployments under their belt and both understand their incredible responsibilities".

The unit has deployed multiple times in its history, to Germany in support of Desert Storm, Guatemala, Bosnia, Kuwait and Iraq. It has also mobilized for stateside emergencies such as providing assistance to Louisiana after hurricane Katrina.

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Captions: (126SENDOFF-8) A helicopter crew prepares their blackhawk helicopter for takeoff while family and friends watch. Company G, 3-126th General Support Aviation Battalion (MEDEVAC) will be deploying to Afghanistan later this spring for approximately one year. (Photo by Chief Warrant Officer 5 Jon Campbell)

(001-2) The official party presiding over this sendoff ceremony. Pictured left to right Gov. Paul LePage, Megan Stewart - representing Sen. Angus King, Brig. Gen. Hugh Corbett - Assistant Adjutant General for the Maine Army National Guard, Command Chief Warrant Officer Four David Cheney - State Command Chief Warrant Officer, Command Sgt. Maj. Scott Doyon - State Command Sergeant Major, Col. Dean Preston - Commander of the 120th Regional Support Group, Command Sgt. Mark Smith - 120th Regional Support Group command sgt. maj. (Photo By Sgt. Sarah Myrick)