Nearly 70 Colorado Army National Guard members who were deployed to Afghanistan for a year came home Wednesday to a hero’s welcome.
Company B, the guard’s heavy-lift helicopter unit, was greeted by friends and family members, and by Gov. John Hickenlooper, who acknowledged the sacrifices of the soldiers and their families.
“We also remember the ultimate sacrifice paid by one member of this unit. Chief Warrant Officer David Carter died a hero, and we will be forever grateful for his service to our country,” Hickenlooper said at Buckley Air Force Base in Aurora.
Carter was killed Aug. 6 during a dangerous rescue mission over Wardak province west of Kabul. He volunteered to co-pilot the rescue. The crash of his helicopter under enemy fire killed 30 U.S. service members, including many from the elite SEAL Team Six.
Company B deployed with a sister unit from Nebraska and trained at Fort Hood, Texas, before serving in Afghanistan.
While deployed, the unit performed a variety of combat missions. It flew more than 6,000 flight hours, transported more than 48,000 troops and moved more than 6.5 million pounds of cargo.
“I couldn’t be more proud of their outstanding accomplishments,” Maj. Gen. H. Michael Edwards said.
Since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, Colorado National Guard soldiers and airmen have deployed more than 6,000 times while maintaining state emergency response capabilities and supporting homeland defense missions, the Guard said.
