TUPELO — About 130 soldiers of the Tupelo-based 1st Battalion, 185th Aviation Regiment are deploying for about 10 months in support of Operation Joint Guardian.
Officials say the troops will travel to Fort Hood, Texas on Sunday for eventual service in Kosovo. While there, the unit will complete required post mobilization training for duty in Kosovo. The unit will then support NATO operations designed to support international efforts to build peace and stability in the region.
Of the 130 guardsmen, 60 are assigned to the regiment’s headquarters in Tupelo, with the remaining 70 assigned to Companies A and D, 1-185th AR in Jackson. The soldiers will deploy from both cities.
Officials say the unit will provide rotary wing aviation lift support using UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters during their Balkans deployment.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 32 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.