V CORPS WELCOMES 11TH AVIATION REGIMENT HOME FROM IRAQ
V Corps Release
Release Date: 4/02/2004
By Spc. Rebecca Burt V Corps Public Affairs Office
ILLESHEIM ARMY AIRFIELD, Germany -- Standing proudly before their AH-64 Apache attack helicopters on the tarmac here, Soldiers of V Corps' 11th Aviation Regiment as Army and local leaders took to the podium April 1 to welcome the unit home from deployment and express their pride and gratitude to the regiment for a mission well done.
Deployed since October 2002 to support both Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, the regiment has its share to be proud of, having logged more than 13,000 hours of combat flight time and 160,000 miles of convoy driving in Iraq while also sponsoring many projects dedicated to improving conditions for the Iraqi people.
"The soldiers of this regiment performed magnificently in Iraq," said V Corps Chief of Staff Brig. Gen. Daniel J. Keefe. "You demonstrated selfless service, courage in facing the unknown, an unwavering commitment to the nation and to each other, and a spirit that made the whole world take notice."
During the ceremony, Army leaders took the opportunity to honor a few of the soldiers in the regiment by awarding nine medals, including the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal and two Purple Heart Medals.
"Most outside the Army family will never know the extent of your sacrifice and (the) service to the nation that you undertook this year," Keefe told the soldiers, "but we know it and you know it, and it made all the difference."
Twelve supporting individuals and organizations, including members of the 235th Base Support Battalion, Army and Air Force Exchange Service and Family Readiness Group leaders, were also presented with awards recognizing them for outstanding support of soldiers and their families during the deployment.
"We could not have accomplished what we did without your love and support," said Keefe. "We owe an enormous debt of gratitude to all the spouses and FRG leaders."
"We felt your commitment through good times and bad," agreed the 11th's commander, Col. George M. Bilafer. "Your spirit made our spirit even stronger."
Dee Barbee said she was happy to receive a Certificate of Appreciation for her work as an FRG leader, but even happier that her husband, 6th Squadron, 6th Cavalry Commander Lt. Col. Michael J. Barbee, is finally home.
"I felt sad when he left, and I worried -- but I was proud, too," said Barbee. "We had a lot of programs to help support them; we sent out Christmas and Easter gifts and we planned for their redeployment for a long time because we wanted everything to be perfect. We even made special supply packages for the single soldiers. We got really excited when they were coming home."
Dana Marta, wife of Staff Sgt. Fernando Marta of D Troop, 6/6th Cavalry, felt much the same.
"I was scared that he was going and sad that he wasn't here for my pregnancy and the birth of our son, but I really wanted to support him," she said. "It's wonderful to have him home again. We'd been looking forward to the day of his return for months."
Illesheim County Commissioner Herr Walter Schneider summed up the feelings of many spouses and recently returned soldiers in his speech to the group.
"I hope all of you can enjoy your time here at home in Illesheim and will not have to return to war soon," said Schneider.
However, the mission of protecting life never ends, and if the unit is called, the 11th will be ready to go to work once more, said Bilafer.
"We are thankful to be home, but our mission is not finished," said Bilafer. "We must stand ready to answer our nation's call."
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