The 16th Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB) is ready to deploy to Afghanistan.

"We are competent, committed to the mission and persons of character," said Col. Paul Mele, the brigade's commander during a deployment ceremony held this morning at Soldiers Field House.

"Why we go to Afghanistan is to support our partners who are still there on the ground," Mele continued.

"They will call for protection, supplies, to carry the wounded and to destroy those who will harm them. We are the right aviation solution for them."

The 16th CAB is scheduled for a nine-month deployment in support of the International Security Assistance Force mission in Afghanistan.

The brigade's approximately 1,500 soldiers will provide reconnaissance, close combat attack, troop lift and logistical movement support to Regional Command-South. 

This is the first deployment to Afghanistan in the brigade's history. Earlier deployments include tours to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn.

>>> Spc. Patrick Kirchgessner holds the colors of the 16th Combat Aviation Brigade prior to their casing for deployment to Afghanistan. Photo credit: J.M. Simpson

For the past two years, the brigade has been preparing for this deployment, with training conducted at the National Training Center in California, High Altitude Mountainous Environment Training in Idaho and home station training.

The unit will be the first in the Army to deploy equipped with the upgraded AH-64E Apache "Guardian" attack helicopter.

"You are on a historic journey," Maj. Gen. Terry Ferrell, commander, 7th Infantry Division, said.

"You are a brigade prepared to go to war."

>>> Lt. Col. John Davis and Command Sgt. Maj. Curtin Stapleton case the 1st Battalion, 229th Aviation Regiment's colors during the 16th Combat Aviation Brigade's Deployment Ceremony. Photo credit: J.M. Simpson