WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today expressed thanks to the Montana National Guard and Defense Secretary Leon Panetta for responding to his March 27 request that the Army honor a commitment of 15 days leave that was promised to Company C, 1st Battalion, 189th Aviation Regiment, a medical evacuation unit comprised of Montana and South Dakota Army National Guardsmen.

“I’m pleased that the Montana National Guard and DoD were as eager to solve this problem as I was, and that we got results,” said Rehberg.  “This is a welcome homecoming gift for more than 60 brave men and women.  One of the soldiers dropped me a line to tell me how they planned to spend their time off: ‘I am decompressing, camping, fishing, enjoying my wife and son, and remembering what it is like to live in our great State and Country!  I have already had a thick Ribeye and a nice Crown and Coke which were two things I missed for the past year.’  I’m glad we were able to make that possible.”

Before being deployed, the unit was promised 15 days of leave under the Non-Chargeable Rest and Recuperation (NCR&R) leave program.  The unit mobilized and was deployed to Iraq in support of Operation New Dawn.  After the drawdown of troops in Iraq, the unit was transferred to Kuwait, where they were strongly encouraged to take leave.  After almost every soldier had taken their leave after arriving in Kuwait, they were told that they would be charged the 15 days.

Rehberg sent a letter to the Department of Defense asking that the leave be restored, since the soldiers had been under the impression that the leave in Kuwait would not count against the 15-day NCR&R leave.  That request has been honored.

Rehberg’s full March 27 letter, laying out the details of the situation is below:

Dear Secretary Panetta:

I’m writing in regards to the revocation of leave that was promised to Company C, 1st Battalion, 189th Aviation Regiment, a medical evacuation unit comprised of Montana and South Dakota Army National Guardsmen.  After serving their country overseas, the very least we can do is ensure they have time to spend with loved ones, especially since that time was promised from the beginning.

Prior to leaving from Texas, the C Co 1/189th AVN was promised 15 days of leave that would not be charged on their accounts under the Non-Chargeable Rest and Recuperation (NCR&R) leave program.  The unit mobilized and arrived in Ft. Hood, Texas, on June 2, 2011.  They were then deployed to Iraq in support of Operation New Dawn for a period not to exceed 361 days.  During this time in Iraq, the unit served with honor and distinction as the UH-60 Medical Evacuation unit.  After the drawdown of troops in Iraq, the unit was one of the last to leave before being transferred to Kuwait to take on another mission.

Because of the 15 days they were promised when they returned to the states, soldiers were strongly encouraged to take leave when they arrived in Kuwait, which they did.  However, after almost every soldier had taken their leave after arriving in Kuwait, they were told that they would be charged the 15 days.

As you know, the NCR&R program allows soldiers who served in combat areas time to rest and recuperate after returning from stressful wartime situations.  It also provides our troops the opportunity to spend time with their families and loved ones, which in turn helps to boost family and unit moral.

The simple fact is these brave men and women were mobilized to Iraq with the understanding they were getting the extra time needed to readjust when they returned home.  To turn our backs and break a promise to them and their families mid-tour sets a bad precedent to them and future soldiers.  Please make every effort to look into their situation to ensure a desirable outcome.

Thank you for your consideration of this request, and please don’t hesitate to contact my office if I can be of further assistance.

Sincerely,