BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan (July 31, 2008) – California National Guard supplies Afghan troops, delivering mail and supplies while transporting troops from base to base throughout Afghanistan – they are every base commander’s best friends.

The Soldiers of B Company, 1-126th Aviation unit, arrived in Afghanistan in early May.  Hitting the ground running, the Guardsmen haven’t had a chance to look back since their arrival.  Not only do they work long and exhausting hours to make sure their Chinooks (CH-47) are fully maintained and able to perform flawlessly, they also fly the helicopters an average of seven hours at a time supplying bases throughout Regional Command-East.

“The maintenance hours required for flights keep the mechanics pretty busy,” said 1st Sgt. Mark Kellam, B Co., 1-126th Aviation unit’s first sergeant.  “Most of our Soldiers work 12-hour days.”

The unit’s mission in Afghanistan is to support Afghan and Coalition ground troops with the 12 CH-47s they maintain and operate.  Their mission cuts down on the amount of convoys conducted by other units, saving units the risk of an attack. 

This mission is different from the unit’s normal support missions in California or even the unit’s deployment to Iraq.

It’s very challenging, said Capt. Emil Popov, B Co., 1-126th commander.  In Afghanistan, we fly a lot more and spend much more time in maintenance.

This deployment is the first one for a lot of the younger Soldiers in the unit, but with their experiences in support missions in California and the wisdom of the senior-ranking Soldiers, they are able to conduct their mission and exceed expectations, said Popov.

“What’s really nice about commanding this unit is seeing the senior warrant officers and NCOs really taking the time and effort to mentor the younger warrant officers and younger Soldiers,” said Popov.

Although their mission in Afghanistan holds a lot of responsibility and takes extreme effort, the Soldiers’ morale, dedication and teamwork is high, said Popov.

“I couldn’t ask for a better command,” he said.