By Sgt. David Cox, 63rd Theater Aviation Brigade
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Lt. Col. Mark Brozak, commander of the 1204th Aviation Support Battalion furls the unit's colors with help from Command Sgt. Maj. Scott Foster during an inactivation ceremony in Burlington, Ky., Jan. 10, 2016. After nearly 10 years of service to the Nation and commonwealth, the unit was stood down due to Army force structure changes. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. David Cox)
BURLINGTON, Ky. -- Soldiers with 1204th Aviation Support Battalion furled their battalion colors for the last time during an inactivation ceremony Jan. 10, at the National Guard Readiness Center in Burlington, Ky.
The unit of nearly 300 has been inactivated in accordance the Army’s force structure realignment.
Activated in 2006, the 1204
th played a vital role in disaster recovery operations during the 2009 Ice Storm and deployed to Iraq in 2011 in support of Operation New Dawn .
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Soldiers of the 1204th Aviation Support Battalion salute during an inactivation ceremony in Burlington, Ky., Jan. 10, 2016. Activated in 2006, the unit was home to nearly 300 Soldiers. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Scott Raymond)
“From 2006 to today, this unit has probably done more as an ASB than the other 12 currently in the force,” said Brig. Gen. Benjamin F. Adams, III, Chief of the Joint Staff. “Being able to deploy as a battalion to five different countries during a time of war says a great deal about the unit and its personnel.”
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Lt. Col. Mark Brozak, commander of the 1204th ASB, said “that although the colors are cased, the soldiers of the unit will continue to serve the nation and the commonwealth of Kentucky.”
The 1204th's mess section finished their service to the unit as recipients of the Connelly Award. The award recognizes food service Soldier that exceed Army standards and operate at a level that showcases teamwork, professionalism, quality and service.
Soldiers expressed a bittersweet satisfaction with what they accomplished while being a part of the unit’s history.
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Brig. Gen. Benjamin Adams III presents the Connelly Award to Soldiers of the 1204th Aviation Support Battalion during an inactivation ceremony in Burlington, Ky., Jan. 10, 2016. The Connelly Award recognizes food service units and sections that exceed Army standards of food preparation and promote teamwork. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Scott Raymond)
“I’ve been in almost 18 years and this is home to me,” said Staff Sgt. Bill Hyatt, supply noncommissioned officer with Headquarters Support Company, 1204th ASB. “It’s going to be a big culture shock to me because aviation is where I’ve been since I’ve been in the Kentucky Army National Guard and now I’m going to a transportation company."
“I’m going to be the first person to arrive to the 1204th and the last person to leave.”
The Burlington Readiness Center, home of the 1204
th, will continue to be utilized by the Kentucky Guard. Two new units, the 2061st Multi-Role Bridge Company and the 2112th Transportation Company will be stood up this year to operate out the state-of-the-art armory.
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