Bound for Mobilization Training at Fort Sill, OK

More than 70 soldiers with the Hawaii Army National Guard's Company C (Air Assault), 1st Battalion, 207th Aviation, say 'Aloha' as they prepare to ship out for mobilization training at Fort Sill in Oklahoma.

The UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter unit is affiliated with AKARNG's 207th Aviation Regiment and will be deploying for a year to Iraq. They are the Guard's last non-deployed aviation asset.

The soldiers participated in a departure ceremony held at their Hilo, Hawaii headquarters at Lyman Field this week, according to the National Guard.

"For the last 10 months," said CPT Douglas M. Westbrook, unit commander, "Charlie Company was flying the Oahu aero-medical transportation mission."

The Hilo-based unit has been on state active duty, flying out of Wheeler Army Airfield, providing aeromedical services from rural communities to trauma centers in Honolulu.

"While performing the MEDEVAC mission, the 207th transported 30 patients to Oahu hospitals," said MG Robert G.F. Lee, the Hawaii adjutant general. Last year, the unit also transported personnel, equipment and supplies assisting with flooding situations on Oahu and Kauai, as well as an earthquake on the Big Island of Hawaii.

"We wish our Soldiers well and will celebrate their return next year," said Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim. "We know they'll be going as peacemakers and peacekeepers who are not involved in the politics of the war."

This will be tour number three in Balad, Iraq for helicopter fuel handlers SSG Alan B. Allosada and SGT Benjamin K. Jury. Both deployed with Company C, 193rd Aviation CH-47 Chinook helicopter unit in 2004 and were assigned to the Co A, 29th Support Battalion during the 29th BCT's 2005 mission.

 "The mission is the same for us," said SSG Allosada, "but you learn to do things more efficiently and safer each time."

"I went to Iraq in 1991, during Desert Storm and again in 1993," said quality assurance supervisor SSG John M. Lowe. "But, this time I'll be going with my son, PFC Cody A. Lowe. I hope the training I've given him and his fellow soldiers has prepared them for our mission."

"My wife's not very happy I'm going again," said CWO Benjamin C. Kelly, a pilot. Kelly deployed as an enlisted soldier to Afghanistan with Hawaii Guard's aviation maintenance unit, Co B, 193rd Aviation in 2003. "I'll be joined by my father CWO Tim Kelly."

The elder Kelly had previously been a colonel in the Oregon Army National Guard. He took a bust in rank to deploy with his son.

Vietnam Veteran SFC Lawrence R.M. Mochizuki said, "It's our job to take care of the young guys and to teach them to take care of each other."

FMI: www.dod.state.hi.us/