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"Launch, Recover, Launch"
Military Artist
James Dietz
Image Size: 12.5" x 25"
Overall Size: 19" x 31"

250 Publisher Proof Edition
Launch, Recover, Launch
Task Force XII and Task Force 49 in OIF 07-09
"The Second Helicopter War"

When MG James E. Simmons, Deputy Commanding General of Multi-National
Corps Iraq, referred to Operation Iraqi Freedom as “the second helicopter
war,” he made reference both to the distinguished heritage of Army Aviation
stretching back to the first helicopter war, Vietnam, and to the incredible
contributions of Army Aviation to the counterinsurgency campaign in Iraq.
Army Aviation has become more indispensable in each succeeding year of
this conflict; Task Force XII and Task Force 49 have added unprecedented
achievements to that record in OIF 07-09.

The first 12th CAB unit in Iraq was the 2-159th "Gunslinger" Attack
Reconnaissance Battalion from Illesheim, Germany. On 30 June 2008 they
made first contact with the enemy near Ramadi. The “Professionals” of the
412th Aviation Support Battalion deployed next and accomplished air and
ground maintenance and logistical support for the task force. The 3-158th
Assault Helicopter Battalion from Katterbach, organized as Task Force
Storm, arrived in July and began air assault support for Special Operations
missions. The "Storm Riders" were joined in their mission by Company B,
“Big Windy,” 5-158th General Support Aviation Battalion. Task Force Ready,
made up of the remainder of Katterbach’s 5-158th GSAB, took on general
support missions, moving Soldiers and cargo throughout the theater. They
also took on the VIP mission in Iraq, allowing senior leaders to move quickly
and safely throughout their operational areas. Joining the 12th CAB at Balad
was the 2-147th “Dust Devil” Assault Helicopter Battalion. These National
Guard Soldiers came from Minnesota,Washington and Hawaii, and joined
Task Force Ready in general support missions around Iraq. Completing Task
Force XII at Balad in November 2007 were the Soldiers and fixed-wing
aircraft from Task Force Hawk, 244th Aviation Brigade. A combination of
National Guard and Reserve Soldiers, they flew the Army’s only non-
reconnaissance fixed wing aircraft in Iraq.

In November 2007, Task Force XII received a change of mission. The Brigade
Headquarters and 3-158th AHB moved to Camp Taji, Iraq to form an aviation
task force in support of Multi-National Division – Baghdad. Just before
Thanksgiving, Soldiers from Fort Wainwright, Alaska’s Task Force 49 arrived
and assumed the mission as the headquarters for the five battalions at
Balad. Task Force XII and 3-158th arrived at Camp Taji in December and
joined the 4th “Longknife” Squadron, 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment, from
Fort Hood, Texas. 4/3 ACR proved a perfect fit for the newly-formed task
force. They provided aviation maintenance and AH-64 attack capabilities for
the division, and also brought a troop of Black Hawk helicopters which
joined with Task Force Storm to perform air assault and general support
missions for MND-B. Task Force XII also formed a tactical unmanned aerial
vehicle company at Taji. Comprised of Soldiers from throughout the brigade
and UAV operators from six of MND-B’s brigade combat teams, Company G,
Task Force XII ran the largest UAV operation in Iraq.

In addition to forming the task force for MND-B, Task Force XII deployed
aviation packages to support Coalition forces in central and southern Iraq.
Indeed, the Gunslingers and Dust Devils spent much of the 07-09
deployment split across two or three separate operating locations. During a
spike in violence in late March, 2008, Gunslinger, Storm, Dust Devil, Big
Windy and Longknife aviators distinguished themselves by responding
heroically to aggressive enemy attacks in Basrah and Baghdad. The pilots
flew hundreds of hours across Iraq and recorded dozens of successful
engagements in a three week period of intense combat. Their actions were
cited as helping to bring about a quick and decisive end to daily indirect fire
and force on force attacks. With a final mission change in July 2008, TF XII
returned to the MNC-I mission at Balad, while 4/3 ACR and TF Storm moved
to Baghdad International Airport to assume the mission for MND-Center
under TF 49.

Over the course of their deployment to Iraq, the Soldiers of Task Force XII
and Task Force 49 set the standard for aviation support in theater. OIF 07-09
was a key period of transition, as an increase in ground combat forces
reduced violence to historic low levels, setting the conditions for political
reconciliation. Units at Balad, Taji, BIAP, and Basrah combined to fly more
than 110,000 hours, moving more than 272,500 passengers and almost 18
million pounds of cargo, and engaging the enemy on over two hundred
separate occasions. Launch, Recover, Launch depicts a routine moment
during the brigade’s five hundred days of flying and fighting in Iraq. Along
Alpha Taxiway at Balad, a UH-60 "mission set," two Blackhawks and their
crews, prepares to launch. The crew members of Chalk One inspect their
aircraft, their equipment, and each other to ensure that all is ready. A group
of Soldiers load equipment while crew members conduct a final mission
briefing. In the background, a CH-47 Chinook stands ready to launch after
sunset on a critical resupply or air assault mission. Overhead, a Gunslinger
Air Weapons Team leaves Balad on a mission in support of ground forces
somewhere in Iraq. Ground support personnel move about the ramp,
refueling aircraft and conducting maintenance services. This seemingly
mundane but incredibly complex scene encapsulates the daily contributions
of over four thousand Soldiers, of all ranks and occupational specialties, to
the incredible achievements of Task Force XII and Task Force 49.

WINGS OF VICTORY!
Launch, Recover, Launch
$175.00
Publisher Proof Signed and Numbered