CPT Vander Lugt, commander of A/1-52 Aviation Regiment, describes the background of his company’s deployment to Iraq. He describes how his Command and Control (CAC) Company was detached from its parent General Support Aviation Battalion (GSAB), located in Alaska, to deploy to Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). Vander Lugt further relates how A/1-52 had recently relocated from Korea, and was equipped with some of the oldest UH-60A model aircraft which were still modified for operations on the Korean Peninsula, necessitating a three-month stand-down to perform aircraft modifications and preset prior to deployment. CPT Vander Lugt describes the system his unit used to sustain a “launch-recover-launch” sequence of operations to maximize the utilization of his assigned aircraft. With the assistance of his experienced Warrant Officers, Vander Lugt developed a system of Prescribed Load List (PLL) repair parts and bench stock uploaded in workshop-like MILVAN containers to reduce his unit’s reliance on Aviation Intermediate (AVIM) and Unit Maintenance (AVUM) support, resulting in an Operational Readiness rate better than comparable Aviation units in theater. In his narrative, he notes that his company performed seven separate Relief in Place (RIP) operations while based out of Baghdad, Basra and Balad. In his closing remarks, CPT Vander Lugt shares his concerns not only regarding the reintegration process with his parent battalion in Alaska, which was scheduled for a National Training Center (NTC) rotation soon after A/1-52’s return, but with Soldier dwell time issues and personnel moves following deployment. Vander Lugt also describes his spouse’s role leading the FRG of a separately deployed company amidst a Battalion that was not deployed, and supporting spouses of Soldiers that were killed in action (KIA) and wounded in action (WIA) during the deployment.
