Wyoming Army National Guard says Farewell to soldiers in G Company

The Wyoming Army National Guard said farewell to soldiers in G Company, 2nd Battalion, 211th Aviation before they deploy to the Middle East.

Gov. Matt Mead, Maj. Gen. Luke Reiner, and the Wyoming Army National Guard command team attended a ceremony today, January 4, 2019 to honor the soldiers deploying, along with recognizing their families.

Governor Matt Mead spoke to the soldiers, veterans, family members and all attendees saying, “Thank you to the veterans not only for your active duty, but for your support after. To the men and women in uniform. I know I am biased on this, but I believe that the Wyoming National Guard is the best in the Nation.”

This ceremony is Governor Matt Mead’s last official ceremony while in office as the 32nd Governor of Wyoming. The G Company was also the first deployment ceremony that Governor Matt Mead attended when he first took office eight years ago. He felt that is was very fitting that it also be his last.

Also in attendance were Governor Elect Mark Gordon, Mayor Marian Orr, representatives from the offices of Senator Mike Enzi, Senator John Barrasso, and Representative Liz Cheney.

The soldiers are deploying to perform their medical evacuation mission as part of forces assigned to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. Their first stop after leaving Cheyenne will be Fort Bliss, Texas, for additional mobilization training.

The medical evacuation company is the most deployed unit in the Wyoming Army National Guard. This will be the sixth time the unit has deployed personnel and UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters since Sept. 11, 2001.

The deploying soldiers are from Colorado, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and the Wyoming communities of Bear River, Carpenter, Casper, Cheyenne, Guernsey, Laramie, and Wheatland.