The Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Armored Division welcomed Lt. Col. Kevin Ferreira as its new deputy commander for the duration of their deployment in Afghanistan, March 6.
Ferreira, who is from Western New York, initially commissioned in 1994 as a Field Artillery officer and was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 501st Infantry Regiment. He then joined the Alaska National Guard where he has several years of experience as a leader and a pilot, having attended flight school in 1997 and becoming qualified on the UH-60 Blackhawk Helicopter.
In 1999, while serving in the Alaska National Guard, he took command of a Search and Rescue Operations unit. In 2001, he transitioned to become a part of the New York National Guard where he continues to serve today. Ferreira also serves as a certified UH-60L instructor pilot with over 3,200 accident free flight hours.
His previous deployments include Bosnia, Iraq and Kuwait where he held command positions from the company-level up to the battalion-level.
As the DCO, Ferreira wants to integrate with each aviation task force in support of Operation Freedom's Sentinel and Resolute Support.
"I look forward to working with the Soldiers assigned to the "Iron Eagles" to accomplish mission success." he said.
He feels what is most important in his role is to support the command team's messages and to assist each aviation task force. He plans to facilitate resources to each task force so that they remain successful throughout the entirety of the CAB's deployment.
Ferreira would also like the Soldiers and their families to know that he is aware that they have put in a lot of time and training and are well prepared for this mission. He knows the families will remain Iron Strong.
"We will have a successful rotation," he said. "We will see them in the Fall."
The Iron Eagles are currently deployed throughout the Combined Joint Operations Area of Afghanistan providing mission critical aviation support to our coalition and NATO partners.
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