WINDSOR LOCKS, Conn. (WTIC) – Family, friends and ranking officers welcomed home members of the Connecticut Army National Guard’s 1109th Theater Aviation Sustainment Maintenance Group from deployment after a nearly year-long overseas deployment.
The 80-member unit, led by Col. Raymond Chicoski, provided support of operations throughout the Middle East. Specifically, the Groton-based unit directly supported Operations Spartan Shield, Inherent Resolve and Freedom Sentinel.
Those operations spanned throughout the Middle East from aviation logistics support in Kuwait, to peace-keeping efforts in Egypt between the Egyptian and Israeli governments.
The 1109th TASMG is one of only four of its kind in the National Guard, servicing the rotary-wing aircraft of 15 different states.
In a press release Tuesday, Maj. Gen. Francis Evon, who serves as the commanding officer of the Connecticut National Guard, praised the unit’s accomplishments.
“Once again, Connecticut’s home team stepped up to the plate and delivered vital and professional support to units deployed overseas,” Evon said. “I am grateful to each of them for their hard work while away from their families, friends and careers for the last several months.”
With the unit’s safe return, the total number of Connecticut National Guardsmen deployed in support of operations overseas is now 225.
