By Capt. Travis Mueller / FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, PA: U.S. Soldiers with the 28th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade received a mobilization order and are scheduled to deploy to the U.S. Central Command area of operations in 2020.
The deployment was planned and is part of a regular rotation of U.S. forces to the region. The 28th ECAB will assist U.S. CENTCOM’s mission of increasing regional security and stability in support of U.S. interests.
More information will be published as their mobilization grows nearer, including highlights of their pre-mobilization training.
Photo By Capt. Travis Mueller | U.S. Soldiers with Alpha Company, 2-104th General Support Aviation Battalion, 28th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade, stand under an American flag in the 28th ECAB armory.
Over 1000 Soldiers, most from the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, will be part of this deployment. The unit is based at Fort Indiantown Gap but 28th ECAB Soldiers come from all over the commonwealth and some even reside in neighboring states.
Soldiers were notified of this deployment prior to the official release to allow their families and employers the maximum amount of time to prepare.
“It’s very important to me that we are supporting our Soldiers’ families and alleviating stress on their civilian employers,” said Col. Howard Lloyd, commander of the 28th ECAB. “This is our first full brigade deployment since 2009 but the 28th ECAB trains for overseas deployments constantly and is ready to protect American lives and interests when our country calls on us.”
The 28th ECAB is a heavy aviation unit of the Pennsylvania National Guard and 28th Infantry Division. It provides aviation assets for both federal and state active duty missions. Its Soldiers have served domestically, assisting civil authorities with emergency relief missions, and overseas.