Maryland Army National Guard Soldiers receive homecoming after 10-month mobilization

BALTIMORE – Maryland Military Nationwide Guard Troopers returned dwelling Sunday following a 10-month mobilization supporting the U.S. Military Army District of Washington.

The troopers have been celebrated with a homecoming on the Aberdeen Proving Floor – South.

Ten UH-60 Black Hawks and 87 Troopers assigned to Charlie Firm, 2-224th Aviation Regiment, accomplished their safety and assist missions within the Nationwide Capital Area below the twelfth Aviation Battalion whereas at Ft. Belvoir, Virginia, from April 2022 to January 2023.

U.S. Military Brig. Gen. Janeen L. Birckhead, the assistant adjutant general-Military, welcomed the troopers, together with different Maryland Nationwide Guard senior leaders.

“The Troopers of Charlie Firm carried out a crucial mission in and round our nation’s capital. By all accounts they have been profitable,” stated Birckhead. “Being prepared for contingency operations typically goes unnoticed and with out fanfare however that is one other instance of our citizen-Troopers who’re at all times, prepared, at all times there. We’re grateful to them and their households.”

Throughout their federal activation, Charlie Firm Troopers flew in assist of greater than 15 aviation mission rehearsals for numerous joint instructions within the Division of Protection.

They logged greater than 1,200 flight hours with zero incidents and accomplished greater than 37,800 plane upkeep man-hours to keep up operational readiness charge, which was effectively above the division of the Military normal.

Additionally they dispersed greater than 100,000 gallons of gas to the twelfth Aviation Battalion plane and different helicopters within the Nationwide Capital Area whereas engines have been operating.

The unit beforehand deployed to Iraq in assist of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2005 and in assist of Operation New Daybreak in 2011.