Here's how you know
 **Official websites use .mil** .mil
 **Secure .mil websites use HTTPS** lock () https://


Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 Toggle navigation
            
            
            
            
            National Guard
                        Always Ready Always There
                    National Guard
            
            Search National Guard:
                        Search
                    Search
                        Search National Guard:
                            Search
    Home

    News
    
        Guard News

    Overseas Operations

    State Partnership Program

    News Features

    RSS Feeds

    Press Releases

    Transcripts

    Features
    
        Features by Year

    Posture Statement

    State Partnership Program

    Special Features

    About the Guard
    
        How We Began

    Air National Guard

    Army National Guard    
    
        DEERS Soldier Journey

    Leader Development Program

    History and Heritage

    I am the Guard

    NGB Official March

    Leadership
    
        CNGB

    VCNGB

    SEA

    DANG

    DARNG

    Joint Staff    
    
        J-1

    J-2

    J-3

    J-4

    J-5

    J-6

    J-7

    J-8

    Personal Staff    
    
        Inspector General

    General Counsel    
    
        Special Victims Counsel

    Public Affairs

    Executive Support Services

    Legislative Liaison

    Special Staff    
    
        Office of the Provost Marshal

    Office of the Joint Surgeon

    Director of Acquisitions

    Small Business Programs

    Chaplain

    Senior Leader Management Office

    Diversity Equity Inclusion

    Comptroller

    Resources    
        National Defense Strategy Implementation Guidance

    Community Engagement

    FOIA

    Fact Sheets

    Helpful Links

    Image Gallery
    
        News Images

    Graphics

    Historical Paintings

    Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

    Legislative Liaison

    Small Business Programs

    Social Media

    State Websites

    Videos    
    
        Featured Videos

    On Every Front

    2019 Videos

    2020 Videos

    2021 Videos

    Suicide Prevention

    Family Programs

    Environmental

    Trial Defense Service

    Holistic Wellness Challenge

    Contact Us  Home
  News
  Article View
 
 Download
 Details
 Share
 NEWS
 Virginia Guard Aviation Battalion Ends Kosovo Mission By Staff Sgt. Amouris Coss,
                138th Public Affairs Detachment
 CAMP BONDSTEEEL, Kosovo – The Virginia National Guard’s 2nd Battalion, 224th Aviation Regiment, 29th Infantry Division, officially ended its mission in Kosovo as Kosovo Force’s Regional Command-East welcomed the Soldiers of their new aviation task force during a transfer of authority ceremony Oct. 11. The battalion mobilized as Task Force Pegasus and relinquished responsibility for all RC-E’s aerial operations to the 1st Battalion, 131st Aviation Regiment, Alabama Army National Guard, mobilized as Task Force Yellowhammer. As part of the ceremony, leaders from Task Force Pegasus cased their unit’s flag, or colors, officially signifying the culmination of their nine-month mission in the region, followed by leaders from Task Force Yellowhammer uncasing their unit’s colors, representing the beginning of their mission in Kosovo. “I think before we left, we wanted everybody to come back with three things they could say, which were that we made ourselves better, made the unit better, and made Kosovo better. And I think after our TOA (transfer of authority), we can look back and say that everyone is coming back better off than they left,” said Lt. Col. Matthew C. Lewis, the Task Force Pegasus commander. “The unit is much better trained than we left, and Kosovo is a better place because we were here. So, I think looking at all those things and then collectively we take a step back, this is something that they will be able to take with them for the rest of their lives.” Over 1,700 flight hours and 275 aerial missions were completed during the rotation. There were five multinational multi-ship flights and 14 medevac missions. Lt. Col. David G. Goodall, Task Force Yellowhammer commander, said members were excited to start the mission after 25 months of preparation. “In the past five years, we have completed two (National Training Center) rotations and one (Joint Readiness Training Center) rotation, as well as deploying to Albania, Bosnia and Greece in support of Defender Europe 21,” Goodall said. “In summary, this is a proven team, and I am confident they will succeed at this mission just like they have the others.” During the ceremony, the commander of RC-East, Col. Christopher Samulski, reflected on the accomplishments of Task Force Pegasus and welcomed the new aviation task force to the region. Samulski relies heavily on his aerial assets to quickly transport troops and supplies and conduct medical evacuations throughout the region. “Task Force Pegasus has some of the finest Soldiers with which I have served, and I feel honored and blessed to have had this great organization as part of my command,” Samulski said during the ceremony. “To Task Force Yellowhammer: Welcome to Kosovo and Regional Command-East. I look forward to working with all of you, and I am confident that this unit will continue to carry the torch of professionalism and expertise that the aviation task force has maintained in this region for the past 23 years.” KFOR RC-East includes 10 NATO partner nations working to ensure a safe, secure environment and freedom of movement for all communities in Kosovo as mandated by U.N. Security Council Resolution 1244 of 1999. “I was not prepared for just how big of an impact that we have here in RC-East, and how our mission makes such a difference,” Lewis said. “I think that this has been one of the most rewarding things in my career, knowing that our presence here as part of NATO has helped in providing stability for the region. It is a worthwhile endeavor that I’m proud to have taken part in.”
 SHARE
 PRINT
  Virginia National Guard
 Alabama Army National Guard
 
 80 Years Ago, National Guard Units Played Key Role in D-Day Landings
 By Sgt. 1st Class Jon Soucy,
  29th Infantry Division HQ Heads Exercise Immediate Response
 By Sgt. 1st Class Jon Soucy,
  Virginia Guard, Tajikistan Conduct Key Leader Exchange
 By Mike Vrabel,
  More
 Champions Repeat at NH National Guard Marksmanship Match Guard News • 5 hours ago
 West Virginia Air National Guard Wing Conducts ’Super Drill’ Guard News • 7 hours ago
 Idaho Medical Airmen Train in Field to Boost Readiness Guard News • 11 hours ago
 Alaska Air National Guard rescues 6 plane crash victims Guard News • 12 hours ago
 Wisconsin Guard Black Hawk Unit Conducts Mass Casualty Exercise Guard News • yesterday
 2024 (188)  2023 (427)  2022 (526)  2021 (697)  2020 (936)  2019 (387)  2018 (323)  2017 (346)  2016 (245)  2015 (356)  2014 (399)  2013 (469)  2012 (556)  2011 (533)  2010 (1071)  2009 (357)  2008 (638)  2007 (295)  2006 (188)
 Home
 Site Map
 Privacy & Security Policy
 Link Disclaimer
 Web Policy
 DOD Information Quality
 DOD Open GovernmentFOIA
 No FEAR Act
 Accessibility/Section 508
 Contact Us
 Army Guard Careers
 Air Guard Careers
 USA.gov
                    
Staying Connected
    XYouTubeFlickrFacebookInstagram
                 
                
                

Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil