KFOR 17 Aviation Maintenance
Story and photos courtesy of U.S. Army Pfc. Gary Burnette 628th ASB
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to contribute to a secure environment and ensure public safety and order, support and coordinate the international humanitarian effort and civil presence, support the development of a stable, democratic, multi-ethnic and peaceful Kosovo, and to s the sun sets over the gentle emerald hills of Fer- support the development of the Kosovo Security Force. This izaj, Kosovo, the proud guidon of Detachment 2, mission is carried out daily by multinational forces from 30 Company B, 638th Aviation Support Battalion countries. waves boldly in front of the clamshell hangers; it stands as a testament to the dedicated soldiers who “This deployment is unique because we are not just dealdiligently labor inside the humble covering of those struc- ing with U.S. soldiers,” said Sgt. Norman Adams, a UH-60 Black Hawk repairman from Shelbyville, Ind. “We have had tures. to overcome obstacles such as language barriers and a differThe National Guardsmen from Indiana and Florida combine ence in training.” experience, expertise and passion to form the well-oiled machine that is the Aviation Maintenance Company. On Pfc. William Davis, a Black Hawk repairman, is the third March 17, 2013, the 638th ASB from Shelbyville, Ind., and member of his family to deploy to Kosovo since the campaign the 1-244th Assault Helicopter Battalion from Brooksville, started in 1999. Fla. embarked on a mission that would take them halfway across the world to become a part of Task Force Aviation for “It’s a good cause and a good mission,” said the Titusville, Fla. native. “In my opinion, KFOR has been bene?cial to Kosovo Forces 17. [Kosovo]. I feel like all the locals I have met truly appreciate Sgt. 1st Class David Patton, a maintenance platoon sergeant our presence.” and a native of Brooksville, Fla., said, “I think my [soldiers] have learned a lot. They are working together as a team and The Black Hawk has been an asset to the U.S. Army since 1979; serving in the invasion of Grenada up to present day their con?dence level has increased.” operations. Likewise, these helicopters have been instrumenKFOR’s mission, as stated on the NATO KFOR website, is tal in the success of NATO’s role in peace support operations,
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