4 1 AVIATION BATTALION HISTORICAL RECORD OPS

File: 090496_jul96_decls33_0017.txt
Page: 0017
Total Pages: 17
Subject: 4 1 AVIATION BATTALION HISTORICAL RECORD OPS                    

Box  ID: BX001066

Document Number:          9

Folder Title: MERITORIOUS UNIT COMMENDATION-4TH BN-1ST AVN REGIMENT                                           

Folder Seq #:         11

Unit: 1ST ID      

Parent Organzation: VII  CORPS  






                Chicago parade. On the 7th, the battalion's wives had a coffee social and MAJ Lundell (Brigade
                Chaplain) was invited to give a reorientation briefing. CPT Sumeiix and ISG Murphy were asked
                to speak about what the battalion had experienced. 3/B/2-58 barracks'assignment was moved
                from Custer Hill with 1/4 Cav to Bldg 214 with 4-1 Avn.
                        Extensive effort was dedicated to the barracks to prepare them for the main body's return.
                Unserviceable property was exchanged, additional authorized equipment was issued, new locks
                were placed on every door, light fixtures and thermostats were replaced, and linen was issued.
                The battalion wives helped clean and decorate the orderly rooms, Battalion Headquarters, and the
                barracks. They also helped make the bunks and provided "WELCOME BACK" snacks and
                beverages for the barracks personnel. Also during this time, S 1 and S4 personnel opened accounts
                and prepared for the administrative receipt of the main body, and S3 turned in to brigade three
                weeks of training schedules.

                13 May
                        Today was the day that everyone had been waiting for so long. The battalion's flight was
                scheduled to leave after midnight. All personnel made sure their bags were packed, and then all the
                bags were taken outside to be loaded on trucks for movement to the airport. The rooms were
                cleaned, and then everyone just waited. Dinner was served at 1700. After-wards, everyone moved
                to the loading area for a formation and manifest call. As each soldiel's name was called, he or she
                fell out of formation and loaded the buses.
                        At the airport, another formation was held, and the customs inspectors instructed everyone
sed by companies to find their bags and then get
                in line for the customs inspection. Every bag was emptied, and the inspectors thoroughly looked
                at every item. After the inspection was passed, the bags were repacked, and everyone went to
                another building to watch movies and eat until the time arrived to load the plane.
                        Two hours before the planned departure the final manifest call was conducted all buses
                were loaded for movement to the plane. Everyone was on the plane and awaiting departure by a
                little after midnight.


                                                      UNF UROP HOME

                14 May
                        4-1 Avn battalion left Saudi Arabian soil at 0100.
                        The battalion's main body returned to Ft. Riley after landing at Forbes Airfield and then
                being bused to Marshall Army Airfield. The battalion started inprocessing by turning in weapons
                at the 4-1 Avn hanger. Next, the battalion marched into the F Co. hanger where wives, children,
                parents and friends welcomed them home with cheers and a band, and MG Rhame gave a short
                welcome home speech. The final stop was at the I- I Avn hanger to pick up each individual's A &
                B bags and ruck sack. All soldiers were reunited with family and friends and were home or in the
                barracks within an hour.
                        The Ft. Riley, Junction City, and Manhattan areas received the I st Infantry Division with
                open arms. Every reflector pole along 1-70 from Topeka to Marshall Army Airfield had a yellow
                ribbon and all the overpasses had signs. The welcome back ceremony and fanfare was
                representative of the support given to 4-1 Battalion, I st Infantry Division, and United States
                Armed Forces.