WASHINGTON (Army News Service, Nov. 17, 2008) -- The 1-2 Attack Reconnaissance Battalion in Korea will relocate to Fort Carson, Colo., in March and then train for deployment to Iraq in the fall of 2009, Army officials announced Monday morning.
The battalion includes 24 Apache helicopters and about 500 Soldiers. The battalion's associated Aviation Intermediate Maintenance, or AVIM structure, will also move from Korea to Fort Carson, officials said.
The relocation will allow the Apache helicopter battalion to conduct necessary training and equipping prior to deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in the Fall of 2009. U.S. Army aviation assets are critical to Coalition forces in Iraq and protect and support troops currently in contact with the enemy, Department of the Army officials said.
The Army's plan to station 1-2 ARB at Fort Carson in March 2009 is both operationally and family focused, officials said. They said it will allow the unit to stabilize its Soldiers and Family Members, preset organizational equipment, and provide an opportunity to properly train prior to the unit's deployment
The relocation of the unit to Fort Carson will also allow geographically dispersed Family members to consolidate prior to the unit's operational deployment, officials said. They said the Army will keep service members, civilian employees, Families, and the ROK government informed during every step of the relocation process.
The helicopter battalion will remain home stationed at Fort Carson through the duration of the unit's rotations for OIF/OEF.
The U.S. Army remains committed to support a defense of the Republic of Korea, Army officials said.
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