Southington, Connecticut Soldiers to Get Proper Send-Off

For those involved in America's armed services, business is never done. Their efforts aren't going unappreciated, however, as Southington resident and Army National Guard Capt. Evan Locks and his regiment will receive a proper send off today at the state capitol.

Maj. Gen. Thaddeus J. Martin, Adjutant General and Commander of the Connecticut National Guard announced Monday that approximately 170 Soldiers of the 1048th Transportation Company of Stratford, and 60 Soldiers of the Second Battalion, 104th Aviation Regiment of Windsor Locks, will be honored during a send off ceremony at the William A. O'Neill Armory tonight.

The units will mobilize and be deployed to Southwest Asia and Afghanistan, respectively.

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Col. John Whitford, director of communications for the Connecticut National Guard, released the following on Monday:

The 1048th Transportation Company’s missions in Afghanistan would include providing transportation assets for the movement of both dry and refrigerated containerized cargo, general non-containerized cargo and bulk water and bulk petroleum products by motor transport.   

The 1048th Transportation Company mobilized and deployed in 2006 to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The unit successfully completed more 150 missions which encompassed more than one million convoy miles as well as providing convoy security to Coalition supply convoys. In recognition of their efforts and outstanding performance the unit was awarded the Meritorious Unit Award.

The 1048th Transportation Company is commanded by First Lt.  Joshua Malaro of Lisbon, Conn.

The 2nd Battalion, 104th Aviation Regiment will deploy to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and provide aviation support that would consist of transporting supplies, equipment and personnel within the theater of operations.

The unit deployed to Afghanistan in 2003 and provided aviation support to both US and Coalition Forces throughout the Afghanistan Theater of Operations. Their CH47D Chinook helicopters were utilized to transport supplies and personnel.

The unit again mobilized and deployed in 2009 to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. While in Iraq, the unit supported coalition forces with aviation assets throughout the Iraqi and Kuwaiti Theaters of Operation.

The 2nd Battalion, 104th Aviation Regiment is commanded by Capt. Evan Lock of Southington, Conn.

The Connecticut National Guard now has more than 550 Soldiers and Airmen mobilized and deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

The send-off ceremony will take place at 5 p.m. and is open to the public.

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