Rep. Courtney Bids 1109th AVCRAD Good Luck on Second Deployment to Iraq and Wishes them a Safe Return
Press Release
Rep. Courtney Bids 1109th AVCRAD Good Luck on Second Deployment to Iraq and Wishes them a Safe Return
Congressman Courtney issued the following statement today in support of the 1109th AVCRAD's send-off ceremony. Congressman Courtney's duties in Washington prevent him from attending.
"Southeastern Connecticut is proud of the 1109th AVCRAD," stated Courtney. "As they prepare for their second deployment to Iraq, I offer my unconditional support and assistance to the troops and their families. I, like all of Connecticut, wish them well in their deployment and look forward to their safe return home."
The 1109th Aviation Classification Repair Activity Depot is based in Groton, Connecticut. This is the unit's second deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. They first mobilized in 2002 with 300 members and deployed in 2003 to Kuwait and Iraq. The unit returned to Connecticut in February 2004.
Congressman Courtney also offered the following statement in the Congressional Record today:
Deployment of Groton's 1109th AVCRAD
Madam Speaker:
Today, nearly 150 members of the 1109th Aviation Classification Repair Activity Depot of the Connecticut National Guard are preparing for the unit's second deployment abroad to Iraq. Although my duties in Washington prevent me from joining the send-off ceremony today in Groton, I want the members of the 1109th AVCRAD, and their families, to know that all of Connecticut is proud of them and look forward to their safe return.
Connecticut's AVCRAD plays a critical role in supporting our military. The unit provides maintenance and logistics for aircraft and equipment help to 14 across the Northeast states and supports Connecticut's fleet of Black Hawk helicopters. Last year, I had the chance to visit their facility and see their operations up close. I walked away from that experience deeply impressed with the professionalism, skill and dedication they have for their mission.
Overseas deployment is not new to the AVCRAD. Yet, as we know all too well, any military deployment is hard not only on our men and women in uniform, but also on their families and loved ones waiting at home for them to return. In my visit last year, I was briefed by the unit's leadership about the scope and impact that this deployment will have not only on the unit as a whole, but also on the families of those preparing to deploy. As I did then, today I continue to offer my unconditional support and assistance to them and their families throughout the length of this deployment.
I am proud to represent the 1109th AVCRAD in Congress. I join Connecticut's Adjutant General, Major General Thaddeus Martin, the unit's commanding officer, Colonel Tom Boland, and the people of southeastern Connecticut in wishing the 1109th AVCARD good luck and eagerly awaiting their safe return.
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