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Task Force Phoenix Ends 9-Month Mission in Middle East

JANUARY 10, 2022 – With the casing of the 40th Combat Aviation Brigade’s red and blue colors, Task Force Phoenix’s nine-month mission in the Middle East formally came to an end.

On Jan. 6, Col. Alan Gronewold, Command Sgt. Maj. Refugio Rosas and Command Chief Warrant Officer 5 Rich Huber cased the colors during a transfer-of-authority ceremony in the base theater at Camp Buehring. The ceremony marked the official transfer of the mission from Task Force Phoenix to Task Force Eagle, 11th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade.

“All of you should be very proud,” U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Brandon Parker, chief of staff, Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve, told the Soldiers of Task Force Phoenix during the ceremony. “You have worked tirelessly under very challenging conditions to fulfill our mission. And let me just state, I believe our mission to be the most righteous one — to assist in ridding the world of most unconscionable evil, that is ISIS.”

Parker said the 40th CAB played a critical role toward achieving a lasting defeat of Daesh and ISIS during a period when Operation Inherent Resolve transitioned from combat operations to an advise-and-assist role.

“Col. Gronewold, Task Force Phoenix, we owe you a debt of gratitude for which we can never repay,” Parker said. “You have paved the way for steady progress toward a day when ISIS is a distant memory.”

Led by the California Army National Guard’s 40th Combat Aviation Brigade, Task Force Phoenix consisted of more than 1,700 Soldiers from a mix of active-duty and Army National Guard units from nine states, as well as aviation squadrons from Spain and Italy. The task force’s aviation assets included UH-60 Black Hawk, CH-47 Chinook, AH-64 Apache, AS-532 Cougar and NH-90 Puma helicopters, and MQ-1C Gray Eagle unmanned aerial systems.

The task force’s mission was to execute air-ground operations in Kuwait, Iraq, the Eastern Syria Security Area, Jordan and Saudi Arabia in support of Operation Inherent Resolve and Operation Spartan Shield to sustain the military defeat of Daesh, enable growth and capability of partnered forces and deter hostile actors in the region.

The two Army National Guard battalions in the task force were 1st Battalion, 168th Aviation Regiment (General Support Aviation Battalion), and the 640th Aviation Support Battalion. The active-duty Army’s Task Force Wolfpack, 1st Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, fell under Task Force Phoenix until October when it swapped out with Task Force Attack, 1st Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment. Task Force Toro, from Spain, and Task Force Griffon, from Italy, were under Task Force Phoenix’s tactical control.

“It has been the greatest honor of my military career to have served here with you on this great team of teams,” Gronewold said during the ceremony.

His Soldiers faced numerous challenges during the deployment, including responsibility for a massive operational area over five countries in two theaters, extremely high desert temperatures, a two-week sandstorm, and enemy mortar, rocket and unmanned aerial system attacks.

“But you and your Soldiers persevered and overcame every obstacle in your way,” Gronewold said. “Your accomplishments have been huge.”

Those accomplishments included flying 13,500 manned flight hours, safely delivering 16,300 passengers, moving 2.8 million pounds of cargo, conducting 208 medevac missions and flying 14,000 unmanned flight hours. The brigade’s Soldiers fueled aircraft, delivered millions of pounds of cargo by ground, conducted aircraft maintenance to keep the fleet flying, as well as numerous other tasks required of a combat aviation brigade of 1,700 Soldiers.

Gronewold thanked his Soldiers for enhancing the reputation of the unit and thanked them and their families for the sacrifices they made.

“As you head back home, hold your heads high with pride for what you have accomplished,” he said. “Well done. Phoenix! On fire!”

By Maj. Jason Sweeney
40th Combat Aviation Brigade

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Filed Under: National Guard, News

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Raven Focus Increases Warfighting for Total Army

JULY 28, 2025 — “We are here in support of Raven Focus which is a brigade annual training exercise for the 81st Stryker Brigade, based in Seattle, Washington,” said Lt. Col. Nathan Davis, commander, 1-357th Brigade Support Battalion, Joint Base Lewis-McChord. “For the National Guard and the Army Reserve, their biggest challenge is access to […]

Air National Guard Unveils New Bonus Program

MARCH 11, 2023 – On March 1st, the Air National Guard (ANG) launched a new bonus program to attract and retain personnel in critical specialties. The initiative offers significant financial rewards, with bonuses of up to $90,000 for eligible members, depending on their Air Force Specialty Codes (AFSCs). This strategic move aims to strengthen the […]

Education Benefits Make Stronger Service Members

APRIL 3, 2025 – Within the armed forces, a variety of educational benefits are available that allow service members to both improve themselves and make themselves more valuable to their service branch. One example is the Military Tuition Assistance Program. The program is available to enlisted personnel, officers and warrant officers in the Army, Navy, […]

Former Soldier Navigates Job Hunt

NOVEMBER 19, 2024 — In early 2017, Michael Quinn endured what he called the worst day in the worst year of his life. Quinn, then a sergeant major and 24-year Army Soldier, had weathered deployments in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Philippines. As an Army counter-intelligence agent, he said he learned to operate under grave circumstances […]

Financial Planning for Military Families

JUNE 25, 2025 – Have you ever wondered how military families manage their finances while dealing with deployments, relocations, and changing pay structures? Financial planning is a vital part of life for families who serve. With unique benefits, challenges, and lifestyle changes, military families must make smart financial decisions that protect their future and help […]

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