Alaska Guardmembers support vital mission in Iraq

By Air Force Maj. Guy Hayes
Alaska National Guard

Alaska Army National Guardmembers from B Company, 1-207th Aviation, pose for a group photo next to a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter in Iraq. The Alaska Guardsmen or “Arctic Cowboys” transport distinguished visitors, Soldiers and equipment from camp to camp, ensuring their safety and assisting in the completion of valuable missions. (Alaska National Guard photo) (Released)
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CAMP DENALI, Alaska (1/11/11) - The new year signifies a fresh start and a time for resolutions for many Americans, but for 76 Alaska Army National Guardsmen in Iraq, the new year also marks the mid-point through their year-long deployment in support of Operation New Dawn.

The “Arctic Cowboys” from B Company, 1-207th Aviation, who left Alaska in August 2010 for Texas to conduct pre-mobilization and validation training before departing to Iraq, have met many challenges along their journey and continue to conquer every one.

“Our Soldiers are staying very busy,” said Capt. Todd Miller, B Co., 1-207th Avn. commander. “The Arctic Cowboys are a close group, and we don’t sweat the small stuff. Instead, we stay focused on accomplishing the mission during an extremely high operational tempo.”

The unit, which falls under the 1-140th Air Assault Battalion, California Army National Guard, has the mission of transporting distinguished visitors, Soldiers and equipment via UH-60 Black Hawks from camp to camp, ensuring their safety and assisting in the completion of valuable missions

“They are performing high visibility missions daily and have been praised for their can-do attitude and professionalism at the highest level,” said Maj. Gen. Thomas H. Katkus, adjutant general of the Alaska National Guard.

“They are vital to the mission and are representing Alaska exceptionally, which is a credit to the skill set of our Soldiers and the leadership in the Alaska National Guard.”

Last month, Katkus and State Command Sgt. Maj. Gordon Choate, Alaska Army National Guard, surprised the Arctic Cowboys with a visit to Iraq and had the opportunity to talk to Soldiers about their exceptional performance during missions.
“We walked both of them through every aspect of our mission, then flew both of them to Balad so they could see our detachment Soldiers and see us in action,” Miller said. “My Soldiers have a ton of respect for both of these individuals, and their visit meant a lot to them.”

The Arctic Cowboys have also received a lot of support from local Alaskans, receiving care packages regularly and even Christmas trees during the holidays.

“The Knights of Columbus in Anchorage sent us three 4-foot Christmas trees with ornaments and lights for us to setup at each of our locations,” said B Co., 1-207th Avn. Command Sgt. Maj. Marc Petersen. “We also received a lot of care packages from Aurora and Swanson Elementary Schools, the American Legion in Soldotna and even from a restaurant we went to in Texas.”

As for the holidays, according to Miller, work didn’t stop, but it was still a time to reflect and be thankful for connecting with loved ones back in the states.

“On Christmas Day, every crew flew and every aircraft launched,” Miller said.  “For most crews, their Christmas meal was a boxed lunch, but over here it was a perfect Christmas because most Soldiers got to talk to their families throughout the day, and that is what matters.”

The deploying Soldiers hail from Anchorage, Eagle River, Wasilla, Fairbanks, Bethel, Juneau, Haines, Quinhagak and Kenai and are expected to return to Alaska in July.

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