Missouri Guard aviation battalion serves at home and abroad

Missouri National Guard Soldiers with the 935th Aviation Support Battalion construct a mobile operations cell for use by relief agencies in Joplin, Mo. (Photo by Matthew J. Wilson/Missouri National Guard)

By Ann Keyes
ngmo.pao@us.army.mil
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - Fresh from supporting the city of Joplin following that city's deadly tornado, Soldiers with the Missouri National Guard's 935th Aviation Support Battalion begin two weeks of annual training as their unit begins ramping up for deployment next year.

In late May, Citizen-Soldiers with the aviation group rushed to Joplin where they quickly erected a mobile operations cell on the campus of Missouri Southern State University. The large, self-sustained tent was to be used by relief agencies offering support for victims of the twister that hit May 22.

"We set up tents to provide a little assistance for the people who have gone through the disaster in Joplin," said Sgt. Clint Snider, of Headquarters Support Company, 935th Aviation Support Battalion. "Basically, we provided aid for people trying to deal with their homes being gone and their livelihoods being changed. We were just providing a small piece of relief."

Power-generated for both heat and air, Soldiers with the unit are very familiar with the Trailer Mounted Support System, having trained with the Integrated Command Post in anticipation of a 2012 deployment.

"The TMSS serves state missions during state emergency duty," said Capt. David Bartelsmeyer, of Mount Vernon. "For instance, it would be used in the case of an earthquake, for the recent tornado or during floods. It serves as a base of operations when a brick and mortar building isn't available."
The system can also serve as a mobile command post overseas and will be in use during annual training at Camp Crowder in Neosho where Soldiers will be put through a confidence course and clear buildings.

"We will have multiple training events going on during annual training this year," Bartelsmeyer said. "We will be training on missions similar to what we will do in theater."
That will leave troops with the unit spread out in various locations, from several dozen at Fort Leonard Wood who will work directly with the 35th Combat Aviation Brigade, to several dozen more working on aircraft maintenance at Fort Bragg, N.C. Soldiers with the group will also train on crew-served weapons at Fort Chaffee, Ark.

"I'm confident we have the people in place to make this a successful annual training," said Bartelsmeyer, adding that his group of Soldiers is ready and willing to go where the mission leads them.
Snider has deployed to Iraq twice previously, but working near to his base in southwest Missouri gives special meaning, he said.

"This is what I signed up to do," said Snider following his work in Joplin. "The Missouri National Guard is being tasked for so many things, including overseas duty, but when it hits this close to home, it's a great feeling to be able to help out your community."

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