Governor Welcomes Delaware Army Aviators Home

Soldiers from the Delaware Army National Guard’s 126th Medical Company (Air Ambulance) get full treatment in New Castle

Despite coming home in small groups in December and January, the Delaware Army National Guard’s 126th Medical Company (Air Ambulance) received a rousing welcome home in a ceremony Saturday in New Castle.

“We’re incredibly proud of your service in Afghanistan, as well as your willingness to serve every day—whenever you’re needed—here at home,” said the Delaware National Guard’s Commander-in-Chief, Governor Jack Markell.  “We owe our deepest gratitude to our soldiers, their families and their friends for their sacrifice and commitment.”

The 126th flew Blackhawk helicopters in Afghanistan for a year. They provided immediate medical support (aero medical evacuation) in removing wounded American and international forces, as well as Afghan civilians, from the battlefield. They also transported patients between medical facilities within the country.

Governor Markell joined Lt. Gov. Matt Denn, Senator Tom Carper, Senator Chris Coons, Congressman John Carney, community supporters, and family and friends of the returning Soldiers.

“We could not be more proud of the outstanding service these men and women provided while in the most dangerous of conditions,” said Maj. Gen. Frank Vavala, Delaware National Guard Adjutant General. “No one does it better and they proved that every day of their deployment.”

Saturday’s Welcome Home ceremony is part of the unit’s first Yellow Ribbon Reintegration weekend, which is federal program for all returning troops to ensure they are getting the services they need.

During the event the returning Delaware National Guardsmen wore distinctive headgear. Because the unit fell under an air cavalry higher headquarters, they have been authorized the ceremonial wear of the Cavalry Stetson hat of those units.