Media Advisory: 3rd Battalion-142nd Aviation (Air Assault) departs for deployment

3rd Battalion-142nd Aviation (Air Assault), Maine Army National Guard

 Deployment Sendoff Ceremony

For operational security reasons, we respectfully request that media not publish the date/time/location of the troop movement until after the unit has departed, 12:00pm on Feb. 7th.

A printable version of this advisory is attached, as well as photos from the unit's aerial gunnery training in November 2022 at Ft. Drum, New York.

Maine National Guard photos by Maj. Carl Lamb / Released

RSVP:

We request that agencies RSVP to the public affairs office at: carl.j.lamb4.mil@army.mil by 2:00pm on Monday, February 6th.

The facility will open at 7:30am. It is recommended press arrive shortly thereafter to ensure time to park, be escorted into the hanger, and set up equipment.

Present press identification to security at the entry control point. After entering the Hayes St gate, proceed straight and slightly to the left towards the display helicopter between the buildings. Media can park anywhere in the large lot around the display aircraft.

Additional Information:

The unit operates the UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter and is trained to conduct air assault and air movement missions in support of combat and sustainment forces. The 3-142 will provide air support to Operation Inherent Resolve and Operation Spartan Shield for approximately one year.

"The nation continues to rely on the National Guard to support our active-duty brothers and sisters around the globe, and we don't anticipate that slowing down anytime soon. Our soldiers have been training hard – just as you'd expect them to be doing – and we know they will do Maine and our country proud." – Brig. Gen. Dean Preston, Commander, Maine Army National Guard

The last deployment for an Army aviation unit from Maine was in 2018, when Company G, 3rd Battalion, 126th Aviation Regiment supported operations in Afghanistan. The detachments of 3-142 are split between the Maine and Connecticut Army National Guard.

"As always, our sincere thanks to all our military families and employers. These men and women have a lot on their plates to balance in order to lead a life of service, and your support is critical to mission accomplishment." - Maj. Gen. Douglas Farnham, Adjutant General for Maine

Historically, Maine air and maintenance crews have supported operations in Iraq, Kuwait, Guatemala and Bosnia, as well as domestically at the Southwest border and in Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina.

Bangor-based Army National Guard aircraft are also periodically tasked with supporting the Maine Warden Service, Maine Forest Service, Acadia or Baxter park rangers, and numerous local fire and rescue agencies in cases of lost or injured civilians.

Information on Inherent Resolve can be found at: www.inherentresolve.mil/

Information on Spartan Shield can be found at: www.usarcent.army.mil/About/Units/Task-Force-Spartan