12th CAB unloads new aircraft to support NATO operations

By Capt. Scott HetzelMarch 18, 2015

12th CAB unloads new aircraft to support NATO operations
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12th CAB unloads new aircraft to support NATO operations
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12th CAB unloads new aircraft to support NATO operations
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12th CAB unloads new aircraft to support NATO operations
4 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers from the 412th Aviation Support Battalion, 12th Combat Aviation Brigade, carefully monitor clearances as a UH-60M(Utility variant) Blackhawk is offloaded from the Liberty Promise. This is the first time the "M" model of the U.S. Army's Blac... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
12th CAB unloads new aircraft to support NATO operations
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12th CAB unloads new aircraft to support NATO operations
6 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Blackhawks are staged and awaiting final flight preparations by Soldiers from the 412th Aviation Support Battalion, 12th Combat Aviation Brigade in Germany. Once prepared for flight, the helicopters will be flown to locations around Europe... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
12th CAB unloads new aircraft to support NATO operations
7 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – In all, 26 U.S. Army Blackhawks (Top Center) were offloaded from the Liberty Promise in less than 5 hours. They joined the hundreds of other pieces of equipment offloaded the day prior. The equipment arrived in Germany at the same time as Soldiers ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

KATTERBACH, Germany - In just under five hours, a team of Soldiers from the 412th Aviation Support Battalion (ASB), 12th Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB), unloaded 26 new aircraft March 14 from the cargo ship, Liberty Promise docked at the port in Bremerhaven, Germany. The helicopters, UH-60M (Utility variant) and HH-60M (Hospital variant) Blackhawks, are the newest that the U.S. Army has to offer.

"Currently we have Alpha Plus and Lima models in the 12th CAB," said Chief Warrant Officer 3 Raleigh Strabala of 412th ASB and the Officer-in-Charge of unloading the aircraft. "This is the latest and greatest to come off the line. It's the most advanced Blackhawk we have right now. They are very capable aircraft to keep the mission moving forward."

The aircraft belong to 4-3 Assault Helicopter Battalion, 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, from Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah, GA, and were brought to Germany as part of the U.S. Army's ongoing commitment to Operation Atlantic Resolve. "Bringing in the 3rd CAB demonstrates our ability to move a mountain across an ocean and shows that we are dedicated to our NATO allies and friends," Strabala said.

The 412th Soldiers will have little more than a day to service the aircraft and prepare them for flight. While many of the aircraft will be flown to Illesheim, Germany, a few of them will leave immediately for Operation Atlantic Resolve. Within days of their arrival by ship, these new aircraft will be participating in training missions across Europe.

Although the weather wasn't the most favorable, the 412th Soldiers pressed on and completed the days mission ahead of schedule. Sgt. Jayce Lopez, the noncommissioned officer in charge of the 412th crew, commended his Soldiers. "We work with professionals here," he said. "The only challenges we have faced have been logistical, but we have accomplished everything the mission had been calling for."

Operation Atlantic Resolve is a demonstration of continued U.S. commitment to the collective security of NATO and to enduring peace and stability in the region, in light of Russia's illegal actions in Ukraine.

New U.S. Army Blackhawks arrive in Europe