Six members of a Missouri National Guard unit were honored Friday before they headed out for a nine-month deployment to Kuwait.
At the Guard's helicopter hangar near the Jefferson City Memorial Airport, family members and dignitaries gathered to honor the members of Detachment 2, Company C, 2nd-245th Aviation Regiment, which is part of the Missouri State Flight Detachment.
The members being deployed are: Capt. Jason Key, Chief Warrant Officer 5 Roby Sisk, Chief Warrant Officer 4 Christopher Weddle, Chief Warrant Officer 4 Brett Holtmeyer, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Matthew Sandbothe and Sgt. First Class Erica Milligan.
The unit was federally recognized just over 20 years ago. Since it's inception, its mission has been to transport mission critical personnel and equipment.
This is the fourth deployment for the unit since 2005 in support of the United States' War on Terror serving in Kuwait as well as Afghanistan. Their assignments included flying distinguished visitors and cargo throughout the entire Central Command area of responsibility, primarily in the C-12 Huron, a twin-engine turboprop airplane. The unit performs a similar mission in Missouri when not deployed.
On this deployment, the unit members will be in Kuwait, providing transportation for key command staff and personnel as well as cargo.
At Friday's deployment ceremony, incoming state Sen. Mike Bernskoetter, R-Jefferson City, reminded the crowd they had recognized the sacrifices of veterans in ceremonies earlier in the week.
"Life in the service is never easy," Bernskoetter said. "It brings many great risks, and it's a high price to pay. But for those of you willing to go, it is our duty to show our admiration and respect for your actions."
Instead of using the podium to give his remarks, Maj. Gen. Steve Danner, the adjutant general of the Missouri National Guard, stood in front of the six members who were being deployed and asked the crowd to recognize the members. The crowd complied with a standing ovation.
"You know, many of the units that go out can have 100 members or so, and I don't always know all the members. But in this case, I'm really going to miss these guys because they fly me constantly. And I know why they want you - it's because you're the best in the business," Danner said.
Danner told the family members to call him directly if they need anything while the unit was deployed. He said he would make sure their concerns were addressed.
The Missouri State Flight Detachment has won the Joint Operation Support Aircraft Center Small Unit of the Year Award six times since 2006. The detachment's current aviators combine for more than 19,000 hours of flight experience.