FRANKFORT, Ky. – Soldiers from the Kentucky Army National Guard's MEDEVAC detachment held a departure ceremony at the Army Aviation Support Facility at Boone National Guard Center on April 25.
Detachment 1, Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 238th Aviation, 63rd Theater Aviation Brigade, was supported by leaders of the Kentucky Guard, friends, family, aviation retirees and alumni as members prepared to depart to Fort Cavazos, Texas, where they will complete their final training before heading to Kosovo for nine months.
In Kosovo, Charlie Company will provide intra-theater aeromedical evacuation for the Army health system and en route medical care.
Charlie Company has recently been mobilized for state and federal activations since 2020, with one deployment to Afghanistan that year. Charlie Company also deployed in 2022 to eastern Kentucky for a flood response and saved 78 people using helicopter hoist operations.
U.S. Army Capt. Corey Oney, commander of Charlie Company, emphasized the importance of the mission to the company.
"Everybody in this room has been a valued member of our small team...the biggest one being the families," Oney said. "Every person that is going on this mobilization volunteered for this, and the ones that volunteered did so because of the support that they have from their families."
U.S. Army Lt. Col. Gabriel Spicer, commander of the 63rd Theater Aviation Brigade, advised Oney and Sgt. 1st Class Ryan Stull, senior noncommissioned officer of the company.
"You will encounter challenges that will not only test your technical skills, but your compassion and guiding principles," Spicer said. "Always remember, behind every mission, there is a person, a Soldier, a civilian, and a loved one."
To the rest of the company, Spicer added, "Whether it's a routine training event, or a mission, always remain committed to the best of the mission, but most importantly, each other. You are a team, and as a team, you will be successful together."