Posted on July 6, 2020 by Heather Adams

PA National Guard soldiers deploy from Fort Indiantown Gap

PA National Guard soldiers deploy from Fort Indiantown Gap

Soldiers from the 28th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade depart from Fort Indiantown Gap, July 3, 2020, on the next step of their deployment to the Middle East. Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Keeler

Black Hawk helicopters and aircrews from the 28th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade (ECAB) left Fort Indiantown Gap on July 3, 2020 and headed to their mobilization station to conduct final preparations for the brigade’s deployment to the Middle East.

In total about 900 Pennsylvania National Guard soldiers with the ECAB are deploying to the Middle East in support of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), although not all members left with the helicopters. The soldiers are based in Lebanon and Cambria counties.

In order to protect the health of the soldiers and families, Governor Wolf, Maj. Gen. Anthony Carrelli, Pennsylvania’s adjutant general and head of the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, and other senior leaders provided video messages last week in place of a traditional deployment ceremony.

Watch the Virtual Deployment Ceremony 

The ECAB will deploy with 500 soldiers from other states to provide Army air operations including transport and medivac services in support of CENTCOM. The unit will head to Texas in July before an approximately nine-month tour of duty overseas.

“They have endured so much to get ready for this deployment but they are some of the finest, well-trained, resilient, professional soldiers that I have ever experienced in my 37 years as an enlisted soldier and officer,” said Col. Howard Lloyd, ECAB commander.

You Might Also Like

Community Testimonials

Wish my town had a channel like this, very cool idea to bring the community together and give people a platform.

James

I wanted to thank you again for the opportunity you have created for our kids.  This experience is more than the TV show.  Eight students who probably never would have talked to each other were excited to execute a plan. Know that you make a difference.

Kristi

Thanks for your commitment to communication far and wide, for your technical support, and tireless efforts to bring fresh programs to BCTV. Bravo!

Liz

Thank you for always being receptive to my ideas. All of your efforts help me to help others and that is a blessing to me.

Adrean

Fantastic work and thanks so much for the quick turnaround!  Always a pleasure to work with you and the rest of the BCTV team!

Jim

Thank you and your staff for all you do to accommodate so many different shows, personalities, etc.!  Can’t be easy, but we really do appreciate it.

Martha

I am happy and proud to be a part of such a dedicated assembly of talent and purpose. Thank you for being a part of my efforts to promote theater and the arts in this region.

David