CLAY NATIONAL GUARD CENTER, Marietta, Ga., Dec. 25, 2011 – The Aviators, Soldiers, and family members of Company C, 1-111st General Support Aviation Battalion (GSAB), received a special Christmas present as the Marietta-based Georgia Army National Guard unit returned home over the holiday weekend following a 10-month deployment to Iraq.

The unit was not scheduled to return to Georgia until the first week of January; however, military demobilization personnel at Fort Hood, Texas, and representatives of the Georgia National Guard worked tirelessly to ensure the majority of the unit’s Soldiers were reunited with their loved ones on Christmas day. The final members of the unit will arrive at Hartsfield-Jackson Airport in Atlanta, Dec. 28.

Brigadier Gen. Joseph Jarrard, Commanding General of the Georgia Army National Guard, had a special message for those returning Soldiers and their family members: “I want to congratulate the Soldiers of this outstanding unit on a job well done and especially for bringing everyone home. Their efforts helped set the conditions that allowed all U.S. forces to leave Iraq. We are additionally grateful that most of them were able to return home on Christmas day to be with their families.”

The unit departed the Clay National Guard Center Feb. 5, 2011 and after two month’s intensive training at Fort Hood, the unit mobilized to Iraq. The unit flew the UH-60M Blackhawk helicopter on medical evacuation and support missions in support of Operation New Dawn. The unit’s 60 pilots, aircrew members, medical and support personnel were assigned to the Army’s 40th and 29th Combat Aviation Brigades while in Iraq. These Georgia Aviators were among the last U.S. Soldiers to leave Iraq.

Story by 1st Lt. William Carraway

Photo by Sgt. Mike Perry

Public Affairs Office

Georgia Department of Defense