40th Combat Aviation Brigade

Gov. Gavin Newsom awarded the Medal of Valor yesterday to seven Cal Guard aviators from the 40th Combat Aviation Brigade for rescuing hundreds of people from the Creek Fire over Labor Day weekend last year. Medal of Valor honorees demonstrate unparalleled heroism in service to their communities, risking their own safety to save lives. The Cal Guard awardees were: * Chief Warrant Officer Five Joseph A. Rosamond, 40th Combat Aviation Regiment... * Chief Warrant Officer Five Kipp C. Goding, 40th Combat Aviation Regiment * Chief Warrant Officer Two Irvin J. Hernandez, Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 126th Aviation Regiment * Chief Warrant Officer Two Brady J. Hlebain, Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 126th Aviation Regiment * Warrant Officer One Ge P. Xiong, Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 140th Aviation Regiment * Sergeant George Esquivel, Jr., Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 126th Aviation Regiment * Sergeant Cameron S. Powell, Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 126th Aviation Regiment Congratulations, once again, gentlemen!

A message from Maj. Gen. David Baldwin, Adjutant General of the California National Guard:

Marty Martinez, an organizer with Thanks with a Tree, along with 25 local businesses and organizations, pitched in to donate 140 Christmas trees to Cal Guardsmen and their families Dec. 12, 2020 in Fresno, California. Mr. Martinez coordinated delivery of more than a thousand trees in the Fresno area. This is the sixth year he has been heading these donations and he's looking to expand to more areas. (U.S. Army National Guard photos by Sgt. 1st Class Ryan Sheldon)

Sgt. Maj. Janet Graves, the Operations Aviation Chief with the 40th Combat Aviation Brigade, celebrated her ninth annual 21st birthday during drill this past weekend in Fresno, California. We all sang "Happy Birthday, SGM," while maintaining social distancing. (U.S. Army National Guard photos by Sgt. 1st Class Ryan Sheldon)

Before the U.S. Air Force was created, there was the U.S. Army Air Forces. So in effect, Chuck Yeager began his storied career as an Army Aviator. Rest in peace, Brig. Gen. Chuck Yeager, a pioneer in flight.

On this day 79 years ago, Pearl Harbor was attacked, plunging the United States into WWII. Three of the first Americans killed were California National Guardsmen. Read their story below:

Prior Service Aviators: Interested in continuing your piloting career part time? Looking to transition off Active Duty? Don't let your experience go to waste! National Guard Aviators are among the best in the world. Consider the California National Guard! You will have opportunities to change the outcome of disastrous scenarios, help your community, deliver payloads to critical areas, and rescue people from life-threatening situations. Complete this interest form to get in touch with a California Army National Guard Officer/Warrant Officer Strength Manager today! http://tinyurl.com/flyarmy

The 40th Combat Aviation Brigade is back at Camp Roberts for annual training. UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters arrived and Soldiers from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, the 640th Aviation Support Battalion and the 1-140th Assault Helicopter Battalion are on ground with more to follow. The units got situated and began mandatory briefings. (U.S. Army National Guard photos by Sgt. 1st Class Ryan Sheldon)

The Discovery Channel produced a video of the Creek Fire rescue over Labor Day weekend with dramatic footage of this destructive wildfire. The second half of the video highlights the rescue of campers, hikers and residents from Mammoth Pool by California Army National Guard pilots and crew from the 40th CAB. #oneteamonefight #creekfire

The 40th CAB welcomes the return of four UH-60's to Mather Field, Sacramento California. The Airforce C-5 landed with four MEDEVAC aircraft during drill weekend, October 17th, 2020. With great coordination and teamwork from C Company 1-168 AVN REGT, Historical 126th MED CO AA (now 2-135th), 640th Aviation Support Battalion, AASF#3, and others, the aircraft are home and ready to be unfolded and added back to the workforce. #CalGuard California Army National Guard Recruiting California Army National Guard @CalGuardAviation (photos/images by Kathryn Barrett, Credit Digital Barrett)

The 40th Combat Aviation Brigade's Headquarters and Headquarters Company recognized some of its top performers with awards during a formation at the CAB's headquarters building in Fresno, Oct. 18, 2020. Spc. Kenneth Center -- Army Achievement Medal for participating in the Best Warrior Competition; California Commendation Medal for his support of the civil unrest mission earlier this year. Sgt. Abraham Vigil -- Army Commendation medal for participating in the Best Warrior C...ompetition; California Commendation Medal for supporting the civil unrest mission. Sgt. Alexis Bell -- California Commendation Medal for supporting the civil unrest mission. Spc. Mitchell Pursell, Spc. Victoria Arellano, Staff Sgt. Ilithya Arreola, Spc. Adam Garcia, Spc. Krystle Gaytan, Staff Sgt. Jordan Nunn, Warrant Officer 1 John Tucker, Spc. Christian Perez -- Certificates of Appreciation for staff support of the Best Warrior Competition. Maj. Rex Agbuya -- Meritorious Service Medal for serving in positions of increasing responsibility culminating as the S4 logistics officer for the 40th CAB.

Here are photos from a flood-fighting demonstration at Whittier Narrows Dam, Oct. 8, 2020.

The 40th Combat Aviation Brigade held a Change of Command Ceremony at the brigade's headquarters building in Fresno on Oct. 8, 2020. 40th Infantry Division Commander Maj. Gen. Laura Yeager presided over the ceremony in which outgoing commander Col. David Hall passed the colors to incoming commander Col. Alan Gronewold. (U.S. Army National Guard photos by Maj. Jason Sweeney)

Happening now: the 40th Combat Aviation Brigade Change of Command Ceremony in Fresno, California. Outgoing commander Col. David Hall relinquishes command of the 40th CAB to incoming commander Col. Alan Gronewold.

Today, at 1 p.m. we will be livestreaming the 40th Combat Aviation Brigade Change of Command Ceremony. Outgoing commander Col. David Hall will relinquish command of the 40th CAB to incoming commander Col. Alan Gronewold. Check back here at 1 p.m. to watch the ceremony live.

The California National Guard has just launched its new Digital Grizzly Magazine. The 40th Combat Aviation Brigade has the lead story.

This chart from CAL FIRE does a great job of putting this fire season in perspective compared to previous years. I appreciate the support of all of the Soldiers, Airmen, and their families assigned to JTF Phoenix that are contributing to this long fire season. Your individual contributions, whether directly on the fire or in a support role are making a difference. Also, thank you to the out of State teammates as well...Arizona, Idaho, Nevada, Utah, Wisconsin, Wyoming, West Virginia with Oklahoma and Mississippi soon joining us. Everyone’s efforts have allowed us to provide a larger level of sustained support for a longer period than I can remember. 2.8 million gallons and growing. PHX 6

Here's a video of the Wisconsin Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion (Assault), 147th Aviation Regiment fighting fires here in California with Joint Task Force Phoenix.

The Wisconsin Army National Guard has contributed two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, their crews and support personnel to Joint Task Force Phoenix. Read more about the "Badgers" and what they've been doing in the fight against California's wildfires:

The ramp at the 1106th Theatre Aviation Support Maintenance Group (TASMG) has been a little crowded this fire season. Here's what it looked like from flight operations during the height of the Creek Fire.