Cougar battalion returns home

By Staff Sgt. Thomas MortJune 22, 2022

Cougar battalion returns home
1 / 12 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter assigned to Alpha Company, 1-214th General Support Aviation Battalion, 12th Combat Aviation Brigade prepares to land while the crew chief peaks out the window at the Wiesbaden Army Airfield, Germany, June 14, 2022. The 1-214th GSAB spent over three months in Poland working alongside NATO Allies and regional security partners to provide combat-ready forces, execute joint and multinational training exercises, and retain command and control for all rotational and assigned units in the European Theater. 12 CAB is among other units assigned to V Corps, America's Forward Deployed Corps in Europe. They work alongside NATO Allies and regional security partners to provide combat-ready forces, execute joint and multinational training exercises, and retain command and control for all rotational and assigned units in the European Theater. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Thomas Mort) (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Thomas Mort) VIEW ORIGINAL
Cougar battalion returns home
2 / 12 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Families eagerly await the arrival of Soldiers from the Alpha Company, 1-214th General Support Aviation Battalion, 12th Combat Aviation Brigade at the Wiesbaden Army Airfield, Germany, June 14, 2022. The 1-214th GSAB spent over three months in Poland working alongside NATO Allies and regional security partners to provide combat-ready forces, execute joint and multinational training exercises, and retain command and control for all rotational and assigned units in the European Theater. 12 CAB is among other units assigned to V Corps, America's Forward Deployed Corps in Europe. They work alongside NATO Allies and regional security partners to provide combat-ready forces, execute joint and multinational training exercises, and retain command and control for all rotational and assigned units in the European Theater. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Thomas Mort) (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Thomas Mort) VIEW ORIGINAL
Cougar battalion returns home
3 / 12 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Three CH-47F Chinook helicopters assigned to Bravo Company “Big Windy”, 1-214th General Support Aviation Battalion, 12th Combat Aviation Brigade approach the Katterbach Army Airfield, Germany, June 14, 2022. The 1-214th GSAB spent over three months in Poland working alongside NATO Allies and regional security partners to provide combat-ready forces, execute joint and multinational training exercises, and retain command and control for all rotational and assigned units in the European Theater. 12 CAB is among other units assigned to V Corps, America's Forward Deployed Corps in Europe. They work alongside NATO Allies and regional security partners to provide combat-ready forces, execute joint and multinational training exercises, and retain command and control for all rotational and assigned units in the European Theater. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Gabrielle Hildebrand) (Photo Credit: Capt. Gabrielle Hildebrand) VIEW ORIGINAL
Cougar battalion returns home
4 / 12 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Five UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters assigned to Alpha Company, 1-214th General Support Aviation Battalion, 12th Combat Aviation Brigade approach the Wiesbaden Army Airfield, Germany, June 14, 2022. The 1-214th GSAB spent over three months in Poland working alongside NATO Allies and regional security partners to provide combat-ready forces, execute joint and multinational training exercises, and retain command and control for all rotational and assigned units in the European Theater. 12 CAB is among other units assigned to V Corps, America's Forward Deployed Corps in Europe. They work alongside NATO Allies and regional security partners to provide combat-ready forces, execute joint and multinational training exercises, and retain command and control for all rotational and assigned units in the European Theater. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Thomas Mort) (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Thomas Mort) VIEW ORIGINAL
Cougar battalion returns home
5 / 12 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters assigned to Alpha Company, 1-214th General Support Aviation Battalion, 12th Combat Aviation Brigade prepare to land at the Wiesbaden Army Airfield, Germany, June 14, 2022. The 1-214th GSAB spent over three months in Poland working alongside NATO Allies and regional security partners to provide combat-ready forces, execute joint and multinational training exercises, and retain command and control for all rotational and assigned units in the European Theater. 12 CAB is among other units assigned to V Corps, America's Forward Deployed Corps in Europe. They work alongside NATO Allies and regional security partners to provide combat-ready forces, execute joint and multinational training exercises, and retain command and control for all rotational and assigned units in the European Theater. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Thomas Mort) (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Thomas Mort) VIEW ORIGINAL
Cougar battalion returns home
6 / 12 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers from Bravo Company “Big Windy”, 1-214th General Support Aviation Battalion, 12th Combat Aviation Brigade unload gear and finish chaining and mooring a CH-47 Chinook helicopter at the Katterbach Army Airfield, Germany, June 14, 2022. The 1-214th GSAB spent over three months in Poland working alongside NATO Allies and regional security partners to provide combat-ready forces, execute joint and multinational training exercises, and retain command and control for all rotational and assigned units in the European Theater. 12 CAB is among other units assigned to V Corps, America's Forward Deployed Corps in Europe. They work alongside NATO Allies and regional security partners to provide combat-ready forces, execute joint and multinational training exercises, and retain command and control for all rotational and assigned units in the European Theater. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Gabrielle Hildebrand) (Photo Credit: Capt. Gabrielle Hildebrand) VIEW ORIGINAL
Cougar battalion returns home
7 / 12 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter assigned to Alpha Company, 1-214th General Support Aviation Battalion, 12th Combat Aviation Brigade taxis in a low hover, while one of the pilots gives a thumbs up, after landing at the Wiesbaden Army Airfield, Germany, June 14, 2022. The 1-214th GSAB spent over three months in Poland working alongside NATO Allies and regional security partners to provide combat-ready forces, execute joint and multinational training exercises, and retain command and control for all rotational and assigned units in the European Theater. 12 CAB is among other units assigned to V Corps, America's Forward Deployed Corps in Europe. They work alongside NATO Allies and regional security partners to provide combat-ready forces, execute joint and multinational training exercises, and retain command and control for all rotational and assigned units in the European Theater. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Thomas Mort) (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Thomas Mort) VIEW ORIGINAL
Cougar battalion returns home
8 / 12 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A Soldier assigned to the Alpha Company, 1-214th General Support Aviation Battalion, 12th Combat Aviation Brigade embraces his family at the Wiesbaden Army Airfield, Germany, June 14, 2022. The 1-214th GSAB spent over three months in Poland working alongside NATO Allies and regional security partners to provide combat-ready forces, execute joint and multinational training exercises, and retain command and control for all rotational and assigned units in the European Theater. 12 CAB is among other units assigned to V Corps, America's Forward Deployed Corps in Europe. They work alongside NATO Allies and regional security partners to provide combat-ready forces, execute joint and multinational training exercises, and retain command and control for all rotational and assigned units in the European Theater. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Thomas Mort) (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Thomas Mort) VIEW ORIGINAL
Cougar battalion returns home
9 / 12 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Two Soldiers from Bravo Company “Big Windy”, 1-214th General Support Aviation Battalion, 12th Combat Aviation Brigade chain and moor a CH-47F Chinook helicopter at the Katterbach Army Airfield, Germany, June 14, 2022. The 1-214th GSAB spent over three months in Poland working alongside NATO Allies and regional security partners to provide combat-ready forces, execute joint and multinational training exercises, and retain command and control for all rotational and assigned units in the European Theater. 12 CAB is among other units assigned to V Corps, America's Forward Deployed Corps in Europe. They work alongside NATO Allies and regional security partners to provide combat-ready forces, execute joint and multinational training exercises, and retain command and control for all rotational and assigned units in the European Theater. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Gabrielle Hildebrand) (Photo Credit: Capt. Gabrielle Hildebrand) VIEW ORIGINAL
Cougar battalion returns home
10 / 12 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Three UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters assigned to Alpha Company, 1-214th General Support Aviation Battalion, 12th Combat Aviation Brigade taxi into position at the Wiesbaden Army Airfield, Germany, June 14, 2022. The 1-214th GSAB spent over three months in Poland working alongside NATO Allies and regional security partners to provide combat-ready forces, execute joint and multinational training exercises, and retain command and control for all rotational and assigned units in the European Theater. 12 CAB is among other units assigned to V Corps, America's Forward Deployed Corps in Europe. They work alongside NATO Allies and regional security partners to provide combat-ready forces, execute joint and multinational training exercises, and retain command and control for all rotational and assigned units in the European Theater. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Thomas Mort) (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Thomas Mort) VIEW ORIGINAL
Cougar battalion returns home
11 / 12 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A Soldier assigned to the Alpha Company, 1-214th General Support Aviation Battalion, 12th Combat Aviation Brigade embraces his family at the Wiesbaden Army Airfield, Germany, June 14, 2022. The 1-214th GSAB spent over three months in Poland working alongside NATO Allies and regional security partners to provide combat-ready forces, execute joint and multinational training exercises, and retain command and control for all rotational and assigned units in the European Theater. 12 CAB is among other units assigned to V Corps, America's Forward Deployed Corps in Europe. They work alongside NATO Allies and regional security partners to provide combat-ready forces, execute joint and multinational training exercises, and retain command and control for all rotational and assigned units in the European Theater. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Thomas Mort) (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Thomas Mort) VIEW ORIGINAL
Cougar battalion returns home
12 / 12 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A Soldier assigned to the Alpha Company, 1-214th General Support Aviation Battalion, 12th Combat Aviation Brigade reunites with his family at the Wiesbaden Army Airfield, Germany, June 14, 2022. The 1-214th GSAB spent over three months in Poland working alongside NATO Allies and regional security partners to provide combat-ready forces, execute joint and multinational training exercises, and retain command and control for all rotational and assigned units in the European Theater. 12 CAB is among other units assigned to V Corps, America's Forward Deployed Corps in Europe. They work alongside NATO Allies and regional security partners to provide combat-ready forces, execute joint and multinational training exercises, and retain command and control for all rotational and assigned units in the European Theater. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Thomas Mort) (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Thomas Mort) VIEW ORIGINAL

WIESBADEN, Germany - About 11 total UH-60 Black Hawk, HH-60 MedEvac Black Hawk, and CH-47F Chinook helicopters from the 1-214th General Support Battalion “Cougars”, 12th Combat Aviation Brigade returned to Germany, June 14. The Soldiers and helicopters from 1-214th GSAB, 12 CAB returned after being deployed to Poland for over 120 days to increase strategic readiness and interoperability.

"In early February 2022, 1-214th GSAB shifted from exercise preparations to executing a rapid deployment of Soldiers, equipment, and aircraft to Eastern Poland in support of Operation European Assure, Deter and Reinforce,” said Maj. Rhian A. Hudson, commander of 1-214th GSAB.

While deployed, the Cougar Battalion took the opportunity to execute and strengthen joint training with our NATO Allies and partner forces.

“This unprecedented deployment saw 1-214th GSAB working hand-in-hand with the U.S., Polish, and other Allies to provide agile aviation support to operations and diverse training focused on increasing readiness,” explained Hudson.

Throughout the deployment, the 1-214th GSAB executed thousands of flight hours and tens of thousands of maintenance hours.

“We are incredibly thankful to our gracious Polish hosts, the 82nd Airborne Division, and the Polish Armed Forces,” said Hudson. “We were able to enhance interoperability through information exchanges, dynamic multi-national training, and mission execution.”

The 1-214th GSABs Army family's support and dedication greatly augmented operations.

“This incredible level of support was enhanced through the dedication of our family members, volunteers, and SFRGs (soldier and family readiness groups) whose steadfast commitment enabled all of our Soldiers to focus on the mission,” Hudson described. “With our return to Katterbach, Wiesbaden, and Grafenwoehr we remain ready and committed to executing aviation operations throughout the EUCOM AOR (European Command areas of responsibility).”

12 CAB is among other units assigned to V Corps, America's Forward Deployed Corps in Europe that works alongside NATO Allies and regional security partners to provide combat-ready forces, execute joint and multinational training exercises, and retains command and control for all rotational and assigned units in the European Theater.