CAMP DENALI, Alaska—Sixty Alaska Army National Guardsmen are set to deploy to Kuwait to provide aviation support with UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters to U.S. and Coalition forces in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

A departure ceremony for family and friends to say goodbye to the Soldiers of A Company, 1^st Battalion, 207^th Aviation Regiment is scheduled for Jan. 27 at the Alaska National Guard Armory on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson at 11 a.m.

Upon departure from Alaska, the Soldiers will head to Fort Hood, Texas, for their final pre-mobilization training before leaving the United States for nine months in Kuwait.

“These Soldiers are exceptional men and women who have dedicated their lives to serving our great state and nation,” said Col. Hunt Kerrigan, 38^th Troop Command, Alaska Army National Guard. “Soon they will leave Alaska for Kuwait to provide aviation support in response to contingency operations throughout the region.”

1^st Battalion, 207^th Aviation is the most deployed unit in the Alaska Army National Guard, having previously deployed elements to Kosovo in 2004 and 2008, as well as fulfilling missions in Iraq, Guatemala, Haiti and Honduras.

“These Soldiers will not be forgotten during their deployment and will continue to be in our thoughts and prayers until they come home next year,” Kerrigan said. “They are standing in the gap for our nation, for our families and for our cherished freedoms. I deeply appreciate what they are doing, and rest assured, we will take care of their families while they are deployed.”

Guard members on the mission hail from Anchorage, Eagle River, Wasilla, Palmer, Fairbanks, Nome and Juneau.

Everyone is invited and encouraged to attend this deployment ceremony. Please confirm your attendance with Maj. Guy Hayes at 428-6030 or 382-5189. Plan to be at the JBER-Richardson main gate off the Glenn Highway no later than 10:30 a.m., Sunday, Jan 27.