Black Hawk helicopters fly over Hernando County

Friday, April 18, 2008

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Black Hawk helicopters fly over Hernando County on way to training before going to Iraq.

HERNANDO COUNTY (Bay News 9) -- The Brooksville-based Black Hawk Battalion flew over an area in Hernando County Friday on their way to Middle East for a year.

Before they left friends and family gathered to give them a very special good-bye on what had to be one of the toughest days of Cassy Freeman's life.

Freeman tearfully said goodbye to her father and about 80 other soldiers from the Florida Army National Guard.

"It really makes them feel like they're supported in going over there because it's really rough and this is good," Freeman said. "It's ridiculous because they're over there for a good cause and they should be over there and people should support him everyday."

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Soldiers flew over a group of supporters who spelled out thank you on a Hernando County soccer field.

The aviation regiment is headed to Iraq for a year. Their job once they get there is to support troops on the ground.

This is the second time Freeman's father has been sent to the Middle East and she said she's already counting the days until he comes home.

The troops will head to Fort Still in Oklahoma for a couple of weeks of training. From there they'll head over to the Middle East.

National Guard officials said the Black Hawks will spend a lot of time transporting troops and equipment. They will also probably end up flying through combat zones.