Guard unit with Davenport detachment might deploy again

By Kurt Allemeier | Tuesday, March 04, 2008

A helicopter maintenance unit of the Iowa National Guard with a detachment in Davenport has been alerted to possible active duty for a third tour.

Company B of the 248th Aviation Support Battalion faces likely activation in June, according to the National Guard. The Boone-based unit, with detachments in Davenport and Waterloo, has 160 soldiers. About 40 soldiers are assigned to the Davenport detachment, a Iowa National Guard representative said.

This would be the third call-up for the unit since 2001. The unit was first called up from November 2001  to November 2002, then 101 days later was activated again from February to December 2003.

Company B’s multiple call-ups is not unusual for the Iowa National Guard, Master Sgt. Duff McFadden said.

“We have a few units that have done a couple of tours,” he said.

The unit provides aviation maintenance support to a combat aviation brigade, which includes aircraft diagnostics, repair, maintenance and testing. Company B has provided support to special operations units in Afghanistan.

Kurt Allemeier can be contacted at (563) 383-2360 or kallemeier@qctimes.com.