Topic: Wings of Destiny

Aviation and ground forces unite to improve tactics

November 10, 2011 |

Written by Sgt. Tracy Weeden
101st Combat Aviation Brigade

MacDill Air Force Base, FL – The 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, conducted a multi-echelon training exercise called Jaded Thunder at MacDill Air Force Base and Avon Park outside of Tampa, FL, October 20th-30th, along with elements of the Air Force, ground forces and artillery.

The simulated battlefield was set up to resemble real-life scenarios in combat, to include a fully functioning forward arming and refueling point, mock villages and a forward operating base.

Lt. Col. William A. Ryan, 1st Battalion, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade commander shakes the hand of Chief Warrant Officer 2 Adam Marik, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Bn., 101st CAB Apache pilot before Marik's night operation during Jaded Thunder training exercise at MacDill Air Force Base, FL, Oct. 24th, 2011. The purpose of Jaded Thunder was to train on aviation tactics, techniques and procedures in a joint forces environment to prepare for the upcoming deployment. (Photo by Sgt. Tracy Weeden)

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2nd Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment Change of Command Ceremony

June 21, 2011 |

Fort Campbell, KY – The 2nd Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment conducted a change of command ceremony, June 21st, 2011, at 9:30am to honor the outgoing squadron commander, Lt. Col. Hank Taylor, and the incoming squadron commander, Lt. Col. Michael Harvey.

Col. Bill Gayler, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade commander, speaks to the incoming and outgoing commanders of the 2nd Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment of their accomplishments and challenges while thanking Lt. Col. Hank Taylor’s wife for supporting the families of the squadron through the last deployment during a change of command ceremony June 21st, 2011 at Fort Campbell, KY. (101st Combat Aviation Brigade Public Affairs Noncommissioned Officer Tracy R. Weeden/Released)

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101st Combat Aviation Brigade Change of Command

June 15, 2011 |

Fort Campbell, KY – The 101st Combat Aviation Brigade will receive a new commander June 24th, 2011, at 9:30am during a ceremony on the division parade field when Col. William K. Gayler relinquishes command to Col. Paul Bontrager.

Gayler has commanded the 101st CAB since 2009. During his tenure, the brigade deployed to southern Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Under Gayler’s command, the brigade provided Army aviation support for U.S. and NATO operations in Regional Command-South, West and Southwest from February 2010 to March 2011. «Read the rest of this article»

101st Combat Aviation Brigade Uncasing Ceremony

May 16, 2011 |

Written by Sgt. 1st Class Sadie Bleistein
101st Combat Aviation Brigade

Fort Campbell, KY - The 101st Combat Aviation Brigade uncase their battalion and brigade Colors at Fort Campbell, KY, May 12th, after returning from a year-long deployment in Southern Afghanistan.

This was the brigade’s fifth combat tour since September 11th, 2001.

The 101st Combat Aviation Brigade uncase their battalion and brigade Colors at Fort Campbell, KY, May 12th 2011. (Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Sadie Bleistein)

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Enthusiastic Crowds Welcomes 101st Combat Aviation Brigade Soldiers Home

By Roland Woodworth | March 1, 2011 |

Fort Campbell, KY – The storms held off Sunday night as the flight bearing 242 Wings of Destiny flew threw threatening skies. The flight was delayed for an hour, most likely to bypass the storm fronts that had passed through the area earlier in the day. While waiting on the flight to arrive family members spoke to one another as many of the children were running around playing with others on the hanger floor.

Heather Byers and daughter Jocey welcomes Home SFC Brandon Byers

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158 More Wings of Destiny Soldiers Return

By Roland Woodworth | February 27, 2011 |

Fort Campbell, KY – On Friday 158 more Wings of Destiny Soldiers returned to Fort Campbell. It was a bitter cold morning as the 158 soldiers landed at Campbell Army Airfield, but that didn’t stop family and friends who were excited for their loved ones safe return.  Everywhere you looked, one could see yellow roses provided by the Navy Federal Credit Union for family members. This was their way to show support for the troops and provide information bags with information on their services.

As the hanger doors open family and friends began to cheer, wave and shout as the soldiers marched in. After a brief ceremony and pray everyone was release for their fifteen minutes of family time. Friends and family scramble to the the center of the hanger to find their soldier. Lots of hugs and kisses while families reunite after a long Deployment. Although the 15 minutes seems to pass so fast, soldiers must first turn in their equipment before heading home with their family. «Read the rest of this article»

Wet and stormy arrival for 274 soldiers

By Roland Woodworth | February 25, 2011 |

Fort Campbell, KY – It was a early morning arrival as 274 Wings of Destiny Soldiers with the 101 Combat Aviation Brigade arrived back to Fort Campbell, Kentucky on a rainy morning. The hanger was packed with family and friends as severe storm passed through the area. Several family members braved the rain and wind to welcome home their soldier.

Due to the weather soldiers were allowed to break protocol of dropping their gear and forming up just outside the hanger to march in. As the doors opened a few feet, one by one, they filed into the hanger and into formation. Once inside they marched forward as the Welcome Home Ceremony began. «Read the rest of this article»

The first flight full of Wings of Destiny Soldiers returned home on Friday

By Bill Larson | February 22, 2011 |

Fort Campbell, KY – On a rainy Friday afternoon, the first full up flight consisting entirely of Wings of Destiny soldiers returned to Fort Campbell.  The plane carried 235 sons, daughters, fathers, and mothers home to their loved ones. Due to unforeseen circumstances, I was arriving late to the flight and so had a rare opportunity to see the beautiful sight of the airplane coming in over Fort Campbell BLVD heading for Fort Campbell Army Airfield. I arrived just in time to watch the soldiers disembarking from the plane heading to the hanger. Due to the rain I was unable to get my usual outdoor shots.

Family and friends of the returning soldiers had gathered together to give their loved ones a proper welcome home.

Soldiers of the 101st CAB (Wings of Destiny) patiently wait for the ceremony to be over so they can spend time with their families

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3rd Brigade Combat Team & 101 Combat Aviation Brigade family members gathered to welcome their soldiers home

By Bill Larson | February 7, 2011 |

Soldiers welcomed home in early morning ceremony on Saturday.

Fort Campbell, KY – In a flight that arrived at 5:10am on Saturday February 5th 2011. 225 Soldiers from two different 101st Division units returned home from Afghanistan. The flight was comprised of 113 members of the 3rd Brigade combat Team (Rakkasans), and 112 members of the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade (Wings of Destiny). This flight saw the return of the 3rd Brigade Colors, along with much of the brigade leadership, including  Col. Viet Luong, commander of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, and Command Sgt. Maj. Gregory Patton.

Family and friends of the returning soldiers had gathered together to give their loved ones a proper welcome home.

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Rakkasan and Wings of Destiny family members welcome their soldiers home

By Bill Larson | February 4, 2011 |

Fort Campbell, KY – In a flight that arrived at 5:45pm yesterday, 146 Soldiers from two different 101st Division units returned home from Afghanistan. The flight was comprised of 109 members of the 3rd Brigade combat Team (Rakkasans), and 37 members of the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade (Wings of Destiny).

Family and friends of the returning soldiers had gathered together to give their loved ones a proper welcome home.

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