FOR RELEASE: Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025
CONTACT: CONG Public Affairs Office, 720-250-1053, ng.co.coarng.list.militarysupport@mail.mil
CENTENNIAL, Colo. – The Colorado National Guard will host a departure ceremony for more than 100 Soldiers of the Colorado Army National Guard’s 2nd General Support Aviation Battalion, 135th Aviation Regiment at 4:00 p.m. at the Southeast Christian Church, 9650 Jordan Road, Parker, CO, 80134, Nov. 14, 2025.
GSAB will deploy in support of Operation Joint Guardian to aid NATO forces protecting Kosovo’s sovereignty and maintaining peace within the region. NATO has been leading the peace-support operation in Kosovo since June 1999.
“This deployment is the culmination of all our training,” U.S. Army Lt. Col. Joe Bryant, commander, said. “This is where selfless service comes into play. Our Soldiers and their families are sacrificing a lot to go on this mission. I’m so proud of every Soldier on the task force. Aviation requires everyone. We fly helicopters, but it takes a lot to make our mission work, from fixing aircraft, to fueling, to flight operations, to sustaining Soldiers and equipment. We’ve been training and focused on this mission intensely for the last two years."
The Adjutant General of Colorado U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Robert Davis will be the presiding official.
GSAB will provide around-the-clock medical evacuation coverage, troop transport, and training support for allied forces.
The unit is headquartered at Buckley Space Force Base, Aurora, Colorado.
For more than 165 years, the men and women of the CONG have served our nation in wartime and as the first military responders in support of civil authorities during state emergencies. The CONG’s 5,500 Citizen-Soldiers and Airmen are Always Ready, Always There.