Unit Information

The 34th Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB) is an Army National Guard Brigade that supports the 34th Infantry Division and the State of Minnesota by providing aviation assets for both federal and state active duty missions. The aviators of the 34th CAB fly the UH-60 Blackhawk and CH-47 Chinook helicopters. The 34th CAB Headquarters is stationed in St. Paul.

The Minnesota-based subordinate units of the 34th CAB are the 2nd Battalion, 147th Assault Helicopter Battalion, the 834th Aviation Support Battalion, B Company and C Company of the 2nd Battalion, 211th General Support Aviation Battalion, and G Company, 147th Air Traffic Service.

The 34th Combat Aviation Brigade mobilized in May 2008 for a deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The 34th CAB was the command element of Task Force 34, a Multi-National Corps-Iraq (MNC-I) Corps Aviation Brigade which conducted full spectrum aviation operations throughout Iraq. Task Force 34 provided a stable and secure environment allowing the Iraqi National Government the ability to assume more responsibility for the security and governmental functions of Iraq.

The Soldiers of Task Force 34 provided aerial support to all areas of Iraq, including tactical missions, VIP escorts, area reconnaissance, medical evacuations and other operations. Task Force 34 transported more than 130,000 passengers and 11,670,000 pounds of cargo.

Units comprising Task Force 34 included: The 834th Aviation Support Battalion of the MNARNG, 3rd Battalion, 142nd Assault Helicopter Battalion of the NYARNG, 3rd Battalion, 159th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, a US Army unit stationed in Germany, 1st Battalion, 244th Assault Helicopter Battalion of the LAARNG, 2nd Battalion, 149th General Support Aviation Battalion of the TXARNG, and C Co., 1-126th Medical Company of the MEARNG.

OIF 08-10 Accomplishments:

The Task Force projected combat power throughout the theater of Iraq, and through the combined efforts of all the Battalions and Soldiers accomplished the following significant accomplishments:

— 834th ASB FLE supported MNC–I C4 Aviation efforts by establishing SSA and Combat Aviation Brigade footprint at Tallil to support MND–S operational aviation requirements.

— F Co. I-185th provided C-23 support to cover mission requirements previously supported out of Ali Al Salem Air Force Base by a sister company. This critical function provided the movement of aviation AOG parts and support personnel throughout the theater of Iraq.

— Projected long range combat power and maintenance with first a company from 3-159 ARB and then moving the BN to Basrah to support attack and reconnaissance mission requirements in support of MND–S.

— B Company, 2-149 provided heavy cargo capacity support for the Bucca - Buerhing mission in MND-S, supporting regional passenger and cargo movement.

— CAB completed $20M of projects dedicated to improving the Task Force at Joint Base Balad’s footprint to support ongoing operations, the largest of which was the MEDEVAC Compound, while prudently cancelling over $40M of unnecessary long-term projects.

— Completed significant networking upgrades through the S6 Shop to improve TF connectivity, reliability and service.

— S2 provided intelligence assessments, collection and mission analysis for all aviation assets within the theater.