The Delaware National Guard will host a deployment ceremony this week at the Army Aviation Support Facility in New Castle.
Wednesday’s deployment is for 40 Delaware National Guard soldiers of Detachment 1, Company C 1/126th Aviation Company according to D-N-G Spokesman Len Gratteri, "They're going to heading to Southwest Asia. So we're going to wish them farewell on Wednesday."
Gratteri says the soldiers are scheduled for a 12-month active-duty tour. He says the aeromedical evacuation unit’s main mission will be to locate, treat, stabilize, and evacuate combat wounded, "After they leave Delaware, they're going to Fort Hood in Texas and they're going to be there for four to six weeks to do some pre-mobilization training. Then they'll go overseas and be in country for the remainder of their tour."
Gratteri says while the soldiers are overseas, they will also provide aviation field maintenance.
Delaware National Guard Major General Carol Timmons says the unit has a great mix of experience and youth.
She says half the soldiers have deployed before, and mixing youth and experience provides a great synergy to successfully accomplish the mission.
About 300 friends, family and well-wishers are expected to fill the Army Aviation Support Facility in New Castle Wednesday for the departure ceremony that starts at 2 p.m.
