Olean, Dunkirk–based National Guard Soldiers honored for service in Kuwait on Saturday, Dec. 6

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Soldiers of Headquarters and Support Company of the 642nd Aviation Support Battalion training in Kuwait in April.

OLEAN, NY (12/05/2014)(readMedia)-- Forty Soldiers assigned to Company A of the 642nd Aviation Support Battalion, who drill at armories in Olean and Dunkirk. will be recognized at the New York State Armory here on Saturday, Dec. 6 for their ten months of service in Kuwait during a year-long mobilization that started in Sept. 2013 and ended in Sept. 2014.

The soldiers will receive awards and their families will also be honored during the event.

WHO: Members of the 642nd Aviation Support Battalion and their families.

WHAT: Freedom Salute Awards Ceremony

WHEN: 2 p.m.,Saturday Dec. 6, 2014

WHERE: 119 Times Square, Olean, NY

Members of the press who wish to access this secure military facility should contact Sgt. 1st Class William Shephard at 716-366-2207 extension 4005 or e-mail: william.c.shephard.mil@mail.mil

Coverage Opportunities:

Members of the media will have an opportunity to speak with Soldiers and families about their experiences during the deployment. Visual opportunities will include medals and other awards being presented to Soldiers.

BACKGROUND

642nd Aviation Support Battalion

While deployed to Kuwait as part of the New York Army National Guard's 42nd Combat Aviation Brigade, the Soldiers of the 642nd Aviation Support Battalion completed some 186,000 man hours of aviation maintenance work to support 2,700 work orders. These efforts kept 44 Army aircraft flying to support missions across Kuwait, the Gulf of Arabia, Iraq, Jordan and Saudi Arabia.

642nd ASB Soldiers achieved a 75% readiness rate for all aircraft, completing 15 phase maintenance inspections for 15 UH-60 or AH-64 aircraft. The inspection is a major overhaul and review involving the disassembly, inspection of major components, repair and replacement of aircraft engine, avionics, rotor, transmission, airframe and other key components.

While deployed, the battalion oversaw 186 ground movement missions across the area, moving more than 3,000 troops and 5.8 million pounds of equipment with no accidents or injuries.

The unit received the Safety Excellence Award streamer recognizing outstanding safety record and risk management practices in the organization.

The battalion's Fuel and armament personnel dispensed more than 300,000 gallons of aviation fuel for aircraft operations and established forward area arming and refuel points for gunnery and training exercises.

National Guard Freedom Salute Program:

In December 2003, National Guard Bureau in Washington, D.C., launched the Freedom Salute Campaign nationwide as a way to recognize members of the Army National Guard for service during Operations Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom and thank their spouses, children, and employers for the support they have shown to their Soldier.

The Freedom Salute Campaign is one of the largest Army National Guard recognition endeavors in history. Each eligible Soldier will receive an encased American flag, a lapel insignia, a commemorative coin and a certificate of appreciation from the Army National Guard. .