FORT IRWIN, Calif. (Oct. 5) -- A ceremony honored Soldiers from an aviation unit scheduled to deploy from the National Training Center and Fort Irwin.
B Company "Flying Tigers", 229th Aviation Regiment, 2916th Aviation Battalion, 916th Support Brigade deploys to Afghanistan later this month in support of Operation Freedom's Sentinel.
The unit, which activated here October 2014, operates MQ-1C Gray Eagle unmanned aircraft systems. The mission of the Soldiers in the company is to provide dedicated, mission-configured, UAS support to division combat aviation, fires and battlefield surveillance brigades, brigade combat team and other Army and Joint Force units.
The command team of the National Training Center and Fort Irwin -- Maj. Gen. Joseph Martin and Command Sgt. Maj. Noe Salinas -- attended the ceremony, along with other installation and unit leadership, Soldiers, families and community members.
The traditional ceremony included the casing of the unit guidon and remarks by Lt. Col. William Garber, commander of 2916th AVN BN, and Flying Tigers Commander Capt. Andrew Poler.
Garber said B Company Soldiers are prepared to deploy "knowing freedom is not free and stand ready to defend it at all costs."
"The Flying Tigers stand ready -- they're trained, they're outfitted with the latest technology and the equipment to bring the fight to the enemy," Garber said. "The MQ-1C Gray Eagle will provide a tremendous capability to the ground force commander. Its ability to provide that vast distance of penetration -- to go where no manned aircraft can possibly go and to provide that unblinking eye and when necessary, deliver that precision strike. It's an awesome game-changing weapon and I'm very happy that the Flying Tigers are on our team."
Poler praised his Soldiers, non-commissioned and commissioned officers for accomplishing their tasks in the past year, even when challenged with insufficient time, resources and people. He also appreciated the families for their support of the unit.
"These Soldiers can't do the great things they do without you," Poler said. "This deployment will be as much a burden for you as it will be for those you send forward. But, know that not a minute will go by when we don't think of you and thank you for your dedication … dedication very few American families can understand."
Spouses Shanajya Brooks and Valerie Vasquez expressed confidence with the support of the unit's rear detachment and family readiness group. For Shanajya and her husband, Spc. Justin Ellis-Brooks, it will be their first deployment. For Valerie, who is expecting a child, and her husband Sgt. Jesus Vasquez, it will be their second deployment.
Valeri said another deployment isn't easier, but there was better planning between she and her husband this time.
Caroline Smith, spouse of Staff Sgt. James Smith Jr., -- a UAV maintainer and squad leader with the Flying Tigers -- commended the FRG leadership, which is normally the spouses of the unit's command team.
"I think they're going to be doing a really great job," Caroline said.
Command Sgt. Maj. Albert Rodriguez, the 2916th command sergeant major, stated that families are not alone.
"Families need to reach out to the rear detachment and the FRG as much as possible and try to pull information as well as [receive] information," Rodriguez said. "If there is something they feel they're not getting, don't hesitate to reach out and ask the questions."
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