All but Stewart are veterans of overseas deployments. Harper and Turley deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2008 to 2009, flying the fixed-wing, twin-engine C-23 Sherpa aircraft.
“The Missouri National Guard is particularly proud of this detachment,” said Lt. Rachelle Thomas, with 3rd Battalion, 135th Theater Aviation Battalion in Lebanon, higher headquarters for the unit.
Thomas noted that in 1991, Missouri was the first to deploy C-23 aircraft and crews to Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. In 2003, the company was the first to deploy in support of Operation Enduring-Iraqi Freedom. They deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom again in 2006, and for a third time in 2008, bringing the detachment’s total combat hours flown to over 6,000.
“These deployments have been intertwined by many other mobilizations in support of hurricanes, oil spills and humanitarian relief efforts in Central and South America, and multiple missions in support of state emergency duties to include wild fires, tornados, floods and ice storms,” said Thomas.
Indeed, stateside, the detachment led the nation in 2011 for total C-23 hours flown, including all units serving worldwide, bringing this group a wealth of Sherpa experience in which to complete its mission of ferrying people and cargo throughout the Sinai Peninsula.
“This is a new theater of operations for us,” said Harper. “It will be interesting.”
In total, the detachment in a nine-person unit, divided into four warrant officers and five enlisted flight engineers whose missions include conducting air movement operations, re-supply, parachute drop and casualty evacuation. Four members of the detachment remain in Missouri to fulfill stateside missions.
“The sun does not set on the Missouri National Guard,” said Maj. Gen. Stephen L. Danner, adjutant general of the Missouri Guard, noting Soldiers and Airmen are deployed to Qatar, Afghanistan and elsewhere around the globe in addition to providing assistance for neighbors in times of distress.
“We’re here to support you,” said Danner to deploying members of the group at their formal departure. The unit is projected to return to Springfield later this year.
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