RI National Guard to deploy units

CRANSTON, RI (WPRI) - The Rhode Island National Guard will deploy two more of its units to assist operations in Iraq.

A Company, 1st Battalion 126th Aviation and D Company 126th Aviation will deploy to Iraq for one year. Officials said the units will provide aviation support for combat and reconstruction operations.

This is the second deployment for each unit.

A Company, 1st Battalion 126th Aviation, which is equipped with UH-60 BlackHawk Helicopters, will combine with soldiers from Puerto Rico for the length of their deployment. The unit will move to Fort Hood, Texas before moving to Iraq.

D Company, 126th Aviation will combine with soldiers from the U.S. Virgin Islands, Pennsylvania and Indiana. This unit will move to Fort Benning, Georgia before deploying to Iraq. During this deployment, the unit will become a part of Task Force Nomad, responsible for the transportation of personnel and equipment.

“Once again we dispatch Rhode Island's finest into harm's way answering the call to our nation's defense. Once again we send a unit for its second deployment. Since 9-11, more than 5,400 Rhode Island National Guardsmen have answered the call; many have done so multiple times," stated the Adjutant General of Rhode Island and Commanding General of the Rhode Island National Guard, Major General Kevin McBride.

A joint departure ceremony will be held Friday at the Quonset Air National Guard Base at 9 a.m.