An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | May 7, 2020

Chinook helicopter unit set to deploy to Middle East

By Joseph Siemandel Washington National Guard

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. – While more than 900 Washington National Guard members are supporting the COVID-19 response, one unit is training for a different kind of fight.

Deploying isn’t new for the Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 168th General Support Aviation. This is the third time in less than 10 years CH-47 Chinook pilots and crew members have mobilized in support of operations in the Middle East.

“This unit deployed in 2011, 2015 and now in 2020,” said Maj. Chris Herring, commander, Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 168th General Support Aviation. “Our guys are trained and professional and ready to serve.”

While much of the focus in the state has been on the COVID-19 response and supporting food bank missions and community-based testing sites, the National Guard continues to equip, train and deploy to the Middle East.

More than 400 Washington Guard members with the 1st Squadron, 303rd Cavalry Regiment, five members of the 156th Information Operations Battalion and five from the 341st Military Intelligence Battalion are deployed.

“We have been here before,” said Brig. Gen. Dan Dent, the commanding general, Washington Army National Guard. “In 1918, we had Guardsmen deploy to the European theater during World War I, while others stayed home to support the fight against the Spanish flu. We will get through this because we have done it before.”

Families, friends and Washington Army National Guard leadership gathered to say farewell during a deployment ceremony May 6 at the Army Aviation Support Facility, Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

“I am proud of you for being here, being in our Guard,” said Dent. “I am proud that you continue and maintain the proud tradition of those that came before you and wore this aviation patch. We will help here to help you and your families.”

The unit will head to its mobilization site for follow on training before deploying to the Middle East.

 

 

Related Articles
U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Gary Keefe, the Adjutant General of the Massachusetts National Guard, coins U.S. Army Lt. Col. Jennifer Green, commander of the 110th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, in Zagan, Poland, May 23, 2025. Deployed to Poland in October 2024, Soldiers of the 110th CSSB led a multi-component task force responsible for sustaining the continuous flow of critical supplies to NATO allies and partners across eight Eastern European countries.
Massachusetts Guard Soldiers Return From NATO Support Mission in Poland
By Senior Airman Julia Ahaesy, | Sept. 5, 2025
ZAGAN, Poland - Soldiers of the Massachusetts Army National Guard’s 1060th Transportation Company have returned from a deployment to Poland, where they played a critical role in supporting U.S. military logistics and NATO...

Georgia Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 110th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion return to their home state of Georgia at Robins Air Force Base on August 16, 2025, following a nine-month deployment to Poland in support of U.S. Army Europe operations. During the deployment, the 110th CSSB provided sustainment command and control to U.S. formations across the region, supporting multinational operations and training events that strengthened interoperability with U.S. and allied forces.
Georgia Army Guard Soldiers Return from Central Europe Deployment
By Staff Sgt. Robert Whitlow, | Aug. 18, 2025
WARNER ROBINS, Ga. – More than 55 Soldiers of the Georgia Army National Guard’s 110th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, or CSSB, returned home Aug. 16 after a nine-month deployment to Poland in support of U.S. Army Europe...

Members of the 102nd Civil Engineer Squadron's (CES) electrical systems shop and 374th CES electrical systems shop work together to enable safe replacement of a damaged airfield sequence flashing light on Yokota Air Base, Japan, July 3, 2025. During a deployment for training (DFT), the 102nd CES integrated with its active-duty counterparts within the 374th CES to accomplish hands-on training during a series of key base enhancement projects
Massachusetts Air Guard Squadron Completes Deployment for Training in Japan
By Senior Airman Julia Ahaesy, | July 23, 2025
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan - The Massachusetts Air National Guard’s 102nd Civil Engineer Squadron completed a deployment for training, or DFT, July 1-12 on Yokota Air Base, Japan. Members integrated with their active component...