Staff Report
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Gov. Matt Bevin joined friends and family to bid farewell to Soldiers of B. Co, 2/147th Aviation Air Assault Regiment in Frankfort, KY on February 16, 2019. Approximately 60 Kentucky Guardsmen are scheduled to deploy to the Middle East for the next year. (Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Alexa Becerra)
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Feb. 16, 2019)-- Governor Matt Bevin and leadership from the Kentucky National Guard joined friends and family today to say farewell to nearly 60 members of the Kentucky Army National Guard's Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 147th Aviation Air Assault Regiment who are deploying to the Middle East for the next year.
To see all photos from this event, please click here.
"The level of gratitude I have for the Soldiers in this room is immense," said Gov. Bevin. "You are serving the men and women of the United States of America and upholding the very principles of our freedom."
Based in Frankfort, Bravo Co., 2-147 is composed of UH-60M Blackhawk helicopters and associated personnel. The unit will be charged with providing Air Assault and transport capabilities throughout the U.S. Army Central Command's theater of operations.
Capt. Terrell McClard is the commander of Bravo Company and has been in charge of the unit for the last 18 months in preparation for the deployment.
"We must remember our families during this time, you're serving as well, just not in uniform," said Capt. McClard. "Your sacrifice cannot be overstated."
"The unit cohesion and the esprit- de-corps for this unit is very special. I'm incredibly confident that we're prepared for the mission ahead of us," said McClard.
Bravo Co. has mobilized three previous times since Sept. 11, 2001, to Iraq in 2005, Kosovo in 2009 and Kuwait in 2014. Since Sept. 11, 2001, the Kentucky National Guard has mobilized more than 18,000 Soldiers and Airmen in support of the Global War on Terror.