3rd Combat Aviation Brigade Soldiers deploy to Kuwait

By Sgt. William BegleyFebruary 25, 2015

3rd Combat Aviation Brigade Soldiers deploy to Kuwait
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3rd Combat Aviation Brigade Soldiers deploy to Kuwait
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HUNTER ARMY AIRFIELD, Ga. (Feb. 24, 2015) -- About 200 Soldiers from the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade deployed to Kuwait from Hunter Army Airfield, Feb. 13. The majority of those troops are coming from 2nd Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment, with a mixture of different Soldiers from the other battalions in the brigade.

Capt. Michael Hurst, Company B, 603rd Aviation Support Battalion, or ASB, said the Falcon Brigade Soldiers will be augmenting a unit that is already in place.

"We are bringing aviation mechanics and vehicle mechanics along with fuelers and other logistical support personnel," Hurst said.

Hurst, a Sarasota, Florida native, is the officer-in-charge of movement for Soldiers of 603rd ASB. Having previously deployed with the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade to Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom, Hurst said he is looking forward to deploying again.

"It's exciting," Hurst said. "We've taken care of our families and everyone is packed and ready to go."

Among the group were many deployment veterans, but also some deploying for the first time.

"I'm really looking forward to doing this for a long time and now my time has finally come so I'm really excited," said Spc. Dante Salcedo, Company D, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment, who hails from El Paso, Texas.

Salcedo, who is being deployed for the first time, has been in the Army for three years, and has watched his fellow Soldiers deploy while patiently waiting for his chance to go.

Before the Soldiers boarded the bus that awaited to take them to the airplanes, Lt. Col. Jason Roncoroni, commander, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment. addressed the crowd of Family and military supporters present.

"These men and women have done a great job in preparing to go forth and do what they are being asked to do," Roncoroni said. "They are hungry, and they are ready and they are going to make our nation proud."

Related Links:

Army.mil: Middle East News