New York Army National Guard Aviation Soldiers Home from Afghanistan Deployment

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Detachment 20 Soldiers During their farewell in March 2009

LATHAM, NY (03/12/2010)(readMedia)-- Five Soldiers of the New York Army National Guard's Detachment 20, C-12 Operational Support Airlift Command will be returning to Division of Military and Naval Affairs Headquarters this afternoon at approximately 2:45 p.m. (depending on the weather) aboard a military aircraft, after serving in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

WHO:

Five Soldiers from from Detachment 20 of the New York Army National Guard's Operational Support Airlift Command, who will arrive today and four Soldiers who returned yesterday aboard a commercial flight.
WHAT:

A short welcome home event for the Nine Army aviation Soldiers and their families at  the Army Aviation Support Facility Hanger at the Divison of Military and Naval Affairs Headquarters.
WHEN: Friday March 12, 2010 at 02:45PM Eastern Time (US & Canada)
WHERE: Army Aviation Flight Facility
330 Old Niskayuna Rd
Latham, New York 12110
NOTES:

VISUAL OPPORTUNITIES:

Family members welcoming home Soldiers deplaning from a military transport plane outside of the Latham Flight Facility. The Aircraft's flight time to the Latham flight facility is dependent on head winds. The earliest arrival time would be 2:30 p.m. depending on headwinds.

CONTACT: Sgt 1st Class Steven Petibone, 518-786-4581 or cell 518-225-6637 for access to this secure military facility

BACKGROUND:

The Army of Detachment 20, who normally operate C-12 fixed wing aircraft deployed from Latham in March of 2009 to support  Operation ODIN an effort to counter Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) through aerial surviallance. The aviation Soldiers flew intelligence, security and reconnaissance (ISR) missions that assisted Soldiers on the ground. Det. 20 operated six aircraft located at both Bagram and Kandahar, Afghanistan, flying more than 3800 hours during their deployment and receiving the Army Air Medal.