Courtesy story
Idaho National Guard

Approximately 150 Soldiers from Idaho’s 1st Battalion of the 183rd Assault Helicopter Battalion returned home Saturday after deploying to Huehuetenango, Guatemala, in support of Beyond the Horizon 2019.

During the operation, Idaho Army National Guard aviation Soldiers provided casualty evacuation support and equipment transportation for U.S. military engineers and medics building local schools and medical clinics.

“We had the opportunity to change lives and be part of a mission that brought dramatic change to the economic growth of Huehuetenango,” said Maj. Bryan Reid, the unit’s operations and training officer. “The experience was life changing and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to participate.”

Soldiers from the unit consisting of crew chiefs, mechanics, petroleum specialists, signal specialists and supply personnel rotated through Guatemala in two-week rotations from April 28 to July 27. They completed 50 missions and 210 flight hours, to include transportation of 600 passengers and 9,000 pounds of cargo.

In addition, the Idaho Army National Guard Soldiers conducted joint training with soldiers from the Guatemalan Armed Forces. The training gave participants the opportunity to share skills and practice loading injured individuals into UH-60 Black Hawks.

“The training provided unique opportunities that challenged everyone throughout our missions,” said Chief Warrant Officer 3 K Kirkendall, Idaho’s aviation training officer. “I’ve never experienced flying missions in an environment such as this and it will forever leave a mark on my career as a pilot.”

Beyond the Horizon is a U.S. Southern Command-sponsored, joint foreign military humanitarian civic assistance exercise. Hundreds of Active Duty, National Guard and Reserve members from all services participate annually to help build relations with the host nation.

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