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April 21, 2006

R.I. Guard helicopter unit named tops in nation

The Rhode Island National Guard's Blackhawk helicopter battalion was the Guard's top aviation unit in the nation last year, according to a statement released today by the adjutant general of Rhode Island.

While deployed in Iraq last year as part of Task Force Dragonwing, the unit flew an average of 226 hours per week, conducting nearly 2,000 air missions while transporting more than 66,000 passengers and 5,100 tons of cargo.

The group of 457 soldiers, led by Col. Christopher Callahan of North Kingstown, flew 46 combat missions, and were subjected to 22 known ground missile attacks, which left seven aircraft damaged.

No members of the unit were killed or seriously injured.

This is the first time an aviation unit from Rhode Island has been named the nation's top National Guard Aviation Unit.

Posted by Steve Peoples  at 6:50 PM | Permalink

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