FRANKFORT, Ky. — Family members of National Guard soldiers said their goodbyes Friday morning to the Kentucky Army National Guard’s Detachment 1, Charlie Company, 2-238th MEDEVAC, 751st Troop.
Command, 63rd Theater Aviation Brigade is deploying to southeastern Europe on a NATO-led peacekeeping mission.
Family, friends and community members filled a hangar at Boone National Guard Center in Frankfort and said farewell to the men and women who will provide aeromedical evacuations in Kosovo.
“They’re there to deliver hope, comfort and lifesaving assistance for individuals in dire situations,” said Lt. Col. Gabriel Spicer.
Based in Frankfort, the two-38th MEDEVAC unit is no stranger to answering the call; having served previous deployments to Afghanistan, hurricane response and rescuing Kentuckians in the 2022 floods.
“The unit remains a vital asset to both Kentucky National Guard and the nation’s defense capabilities,” said Maj. William Bland.
Their home for the next nine months will be southeast Europe as part of peacekeeping operations in Kosovo. Captain Corey Oney will be commanding the unit.
“Nine months may seem like a long time, but when you’re actually out there doing your mission, it’ll come and go,” Oney said.
It is Oney’s first overseas deployment. Friday morning was bittersweet for him and other soldiers.
“As cruel and as sweet as they may seem at the same time with having to say goodbye to your family to do the mission, it’s very special for them to see how important and the support that we have behind us,” Oney said.
Oney said deployments are rare, but there is a sense of excitement and pride this unit is trusted to carry out the mission.
“We’re always ready to go every day, just champing at the bit every day to go out and complete a mission,” Oney said.
Before going overseas, the unit is off to Texas for further training.
Troops in the MEDEVAC unit have been preparing for this deployment for two years.
