140th Chemical Company flies out of JFTB

On Thursday, Feb. 16, the 140th Chemical Company began its year-long deployment to Kuwait by boarding a chartered Sun Country jet on the flight line at Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base.

The Company flew to Selma, Mississippi, for several weeks of further training.

The soldiers making up the Company gathered on the flight line around sunrise, accompanied by family and friends.

Also on hand to see them off were members of the Patriot Guard Riders and local veteran’s organizations.

Fellow members of the larger 40th Infantry Division, headquartered at the JFTB, supported the boarding. Both groups are part of the California Army National Guard, headquartered in Sacramento.

Local media — including two camera crews — covered the departure.

Two large visiting cargo jets sat at the west end of the flight line, near helicopters recently assigned to the Base.

Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base, 140th Chemical Company, last handshake

Last handshake from Sgt. Arevalo

The Company formed up in the area between two hangars, just west of the control tower for Los Alamitos Army Air Field.

When the order for boarding was issued, the Company formed a single-file line that passed by an honor guard and stopped at a check point at the base of the jet’s boarding ramp.

The honor guard shook the hand of each soldier, and thanked each soldier for his or her service.

At the check point, each soldier was meticulously checked against a boarding list — sometimes causing delay. A soldier was allowed to climb the stairs only after any confusion or discrepancy was cleared up.

Some soldiers climbed the stairs with a smile and a spring in their step. Others climbed with a thoughtful expression. Many turned midway or at the top to wave at the send-off crowd.

At the top of the stairs, just before entering the jet, each soldier received a handshake and personal words of encouragement from Sgt. Arevalo.

Spc. Hawkins holds the Company guidon during boarding.

Spc. Hawkins stood apart on the tarmac, holding the Company guidon, until all other Company personnel except command staff boarded, including Company Commander Major Orlando A. Cobos.

Also capturing the departure in pixels were the Company’s public affairs specialist and a volunteer from the JFTB Veteran’s Center, who webcast the event live using his Android phone, a wireless connection and a tripod.

Chief Warrant Officer J.D. Brown, Airfield Operations and Safety Officer, kept close watch to ensure safe and smooth air operations.

After all members of the Company were checked in, and all paperwork cleared, the door of the jet was secured and the ramp rolled away.

The jet taxied to the southwest end of runway 22L, received clearance from the tower and was wheels-up on its way to Mississippi.

According to the official unit history:

The 140^th Chemical Company was constituted 25 August 1980 in the California Army National Guard as the 140^th Chemical Company and assigned to the 40^th Infantry Division.

The 140^th was organized and federally recognized on 30 September 1980 at Fullerton, California.

The 140^th Chemical Company has posted its guidon in Fullerton, Long Beach and in its current home here at Joint Forces Training Base Los Alamitos and is assigned under the 100^th Troop Command.

This will be the Company’s first overseas deployment since it was constituted. However, it has been mobilized on numerous occasion in support of state missions. It was mobilized for the fires of 1987, for the riots of 1992, and then again in support of Y2K.

God speed, Major Cobos and Company. Come home safely.

Family, friends and supporters wave good-bye to the 140th Chemical Company after boarding completed.

Featured photo

Paperwork: each soldier was meticulously checked off before climbing the boarding ramp.

All photos by C.E.H. Wiedel.

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150 California National Guard Soldiers Heading To Kuwait Thursday (losangeles.cbslocal.com)
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About the Author

shelley

Shelley Henderson is a reformed computer and networking geek turned freelance writer. Now she only fixes her own networks and computers. That leaves time for writing, and writing and more writing. And editing the Orange County Breeze. Shelley most enjoys visiting and finding out about local businesses to write business profiles that allow our communities to learn more about their local businesses and the people who own and run them. If you own or manage a business in our coverage area and would like to invite Shelley to write a business profile, let us know.