Army Reserve readies only aviation brigade for deployment to Haiti

By Staff Sgt. Alyn-Michael MacleodJanuary 26, 2010

244th deploys to support humanitarian efforts in Haiti
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244th deploys to support humanitarian efforts in Haiti
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FORT DIX, N.J. (Jan. 27, 2010) -- The only Army Reserve aviation brigade, the 244th Aviation Brigade, has geared up to deploy troops and equipment to Haiti in support of Operation Unified Response.

More than 300 Soldiers from 244th Aviation Brigade will deploy today to support humanitarian operations in Haiti. Along with Soldiers, the 244th is sending nine CH-47 Chinook helicopters and four UH-60 Black Hawks.

The CH-47 twin-engine, tandem heavy-lift helicopter is considered the workhorse of the Army and is designed for transportation of cargo and troops. The UH-60 Black Hawk is a four-bladed, twin-engine, medium-lift utility helicopter designed for air assault, air cavalry and medical evacuation.

According to brigade officials, the CH-47 Chinook and the UH-60 Black Hawk are the primary movers of cargo and equipment to remote sites and locations. They will be used to place pallets of supplies in strategic locations such as soccer fields, playgrounds and near Red Cross feeding tents.

Soldiers in the brigade are confident of their skills and mission in this time of need.

"Our Soldiers are highly motivated and many of them have a wealth of experience," explained Command Sgt. Maj. JamesPeter Matthews, senior enlisted advisor of the 244th Aviation Brigade.

Matthews stressed that time in combat and proficiency in their assigned duties made the 244th an excellent choice to assist the Haitians in their time of need.

The 244th Aviation Brigade, the only aviation brigade in the Army Reserve, is headquartered at Fort Dix, N.J., with subordinate units and facilities located in 18 locations across 14 states.

The 244th Aviation Brigade consists of a mix of active-duty and Reserve Soldiers as well as Department of the Army civilian employees and contractors.

Related Links:

Haiti Earthquake Relief Mission