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Canton, Ga., Nov. 3, 2012 – Three Georgia Army Guardsmen of Winder’s Detachment 1, Company C, 1-185th Aviation, landed at the Boy Scouts of America’s(BSA) Troop 444 camping event today. Arriving at the field in a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, the Soldiers seemed to pleasantly surprise the scouts. The boy scouts organized the weekend to provide Cub Scout Pack 700 a look into what it entails advancing into the boy scouts, and to see what it’s like to be a Guardsman.

Chief Warrant Officer 3 Brandon Thomas, a 185th Black hawk pilot, said he and his crew were excited to be part of the event.

“I feel truly honored to be here. The children love it, and it’s our pleasure to provide this experience to them.” Thomas explained. “These are the future leaders of our country, and we are happy to enlighten them and provide them with aviation knowledge.”

Troop 444 and Pack 700 hold the joint camping occasion annually. The troop’s goal is to encourage the elder members of the Cub Scouts to continue on after fifth grade, and become a Boy Scout. The scout master requested the 185th provide a static display, and educate the scouts on aviation, the UH-60, and general safety protocols. Thomas and his crew set up around the parked Black Hawk and conducted a question and answer session for any interested scouts. He and the copilot gave a tour of the helicopter to nearly 55 scouts and their families.

Scout leader Jay Hajost of Marietta said he was excited to have the Guard aviators present.

“I’m so glad these guys came out today. Seeing the helicopter land and getting a tour of it after was really awesome.” Hajost explained. “I’m really happy I had this opportunity and we have all really learned a lot from them.”

Troop 444 is comprised of 65 scouts from Marietta’s Walker School. Among the Boy Scouts of Americas many goals, their priority is training the youth in responsible citizenship, character development and self-reliance. The BSA does this through a wide range of outdoor activities and educational programs.

Troop 444 is headed by scout master Wayne Marcinko of Marietta. Marcinko said he guided his son through the boy scouts until he aged out of the program. Marcinko, wanting to remain involved in the program, took over the position of scout master eight years ago.

“My priority is the youth, my scouts. I find great satisfaction in knowing that I am shaping and molding them into strong, self reliant responsible citizens.” He said. “I am so happy to have the 185th here this weekend. This is great for the scouts, and we could not thank Thomas and his crew enough.”

The aviators seemed equally enthused to be a part of the occasion. 1st Lt. Joseph Barbani, and engineering recruiter from Birmingham, said he enjoys these missions.

“We love doing these things, it’s really great. I love being able to bring our aircraft out to show these young folks what we do.” Explained Barbani. “It gives a face to the military. They see these aircraft on television and movies, this gives them a chance to experience it hands on.”

The 185th was established on Oct. 1, 2005 at Winder. Since then it has accumulated more than 6,000 flight hours in deployments to Iraq and Kosovo. They returned home from both these missions with 100% of their soldiers and equipment. Presently the company is on the ready to fulfill any and all missions assigned to it, and prepares for future worldwide operations.

Thomas comments that they are always ready and waiting.

“We train everyday. Every mission has training value. Whether we are flying patrols over Iraq or educating the future leaders of our state and country here at home, we are always ready and give 100 percent in every mission we are assigned” Story by Pfc. Andrew Badeen Photos by Sgt. Michael Uribe and Spc. Tekoa Burns

    124th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment 

Georgia Army National Guard

CUTLINES FOR PHOTOGRAPHS: (SEE FILE NUMBER)

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Georgia Army National Guard Chief Warrant Officer 3, Brandon Thomas, with Detachment 1, Company C, 1-185th Aviation based in Winder, Answers questions during a static display of a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter flown in and landed on the fields of a Boy Scouts of America Troop 444 annual family camping event in Woodstock, Georgia, Saturday, November 3, 2012.

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Georgia Army National Guard Crew Chief, Sergeant David Arnold, with Detachment 1, Company C, 1-185th Aviation based in Winder, helps Boy Scout Cade King put on an aviator helmit during a static display of a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter flown in and landed on the fields of a Boy Scouts of America Troop 444 annual family camping event in Woodstock, Georgia, Saturday, November 3, 2012.

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Boy scouts of Boy Scouts of America Troop 444 watch as Georgia Army National Guard crewmembers of Winder based Detachment 1, Company C, 1-185th Aviation secure a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter after landing in the fields at a Boy Scouts of America annual family camping event, in Woodstock, Georgia, Saturday, November 3, 2012.

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Boy scouts of Boy Scouts of America Troop 444 watch as Georgia Army National Guard crew chief Sergeant David Arnold of Winder based Detachment 1, Company C, 1-185th Aviation answers questions during a static display of a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter flown in and landed on the fields of a Boy Scouts of America Troop 444 annual family camping event in Woodstock, Georgia, Saturday, November 3, 2012.

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A UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter flown by Georgia Army National Guard crewmembers of Winder based Detachment 1, Company C, 1-185th Aviation lands in the fields of a Boy Scouts of America Troop 444 annual family camping event in Woodstock, Georgia, Saturday, November 3, 2012.

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Georgia Army National Guard Crew Chief, Sergeant David Arnold, with Detachment 1, Company C, 1-185th Aviation based in Winder, explains to scouts, the interior workings of a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter flown in and landed on the fields of a Boy Scouts of America annual family camping event in Woodstock, Georgia,