12th CAB activates 5th Aviation Maintenance Detachment

First Sgt. Jeremy R. Lindner the first sergeant for 5th Detachment, 603rd ASB, Lt. Col. David K. Almquist, the battalion commander for 412th Aviation Support Battalion, and Chief Warrant Officer 3 Kelly L. Wolfe, the commander of 5th Detachment, 603rd ASB, 12th Combat Aviation Brigade, uncase the company guidon during their activation ceremony in Ansbach, Germany at Katterbach Army Airfield, July 20, 2015, the 5th Detachment will provide major maintenance and subcomponent level repair for the AH-64D (Apache) helicopters, maintain air combat power and will save the 12th CAB in repair costs. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Nicholas Redding, 12th CAB Public Affairs)

By Spc. Nicholas Redding, 12th Combat Aviation Brigade Public Affairs

ANSBACH, Germany (July 21, 2015) – The 5th Aviation Maintenance Detachment of the 603rd Aviation Support Battalion, 12th Combat Aviation Brigade, was activated here in Hanger 3 at Katterbach Kaserne, Monday, July 20.

The Army Aviation Restructuring Initiative, or ARI, repositioned and reorganized many of the aviation assets within the 12th CAB.

The Badger Detachment was created primarily from the Soldiers of B Company, 412th ASB, and will support the AH-64D Apache helicopters from 2nd Bn., 159th Avn. Regt., and the remaining units at Katterbach Airfield.

Lt. Col. David K. Almquist, commander of the 412th ASB, presided over the event.

“Today, it is clear to each and every one of us why 5th Detachment is here,” said Almquist. “Simply, they are the best aviation maintainers in this Brigade.”

Chief Warrant Officer 3 Kelly L. Wolfe, the commander of 5th Detachment, also spoke:

“What we are going to provide is more combat-ready airframes, which translates to more combat power for the battalion commander, for the theater.”

First Sgt. Jeremy R. Lindner, previously a first sergeant in 5th Bn., 158th Avn. Regt, which inactivated earlier this year, will be in charge of the enlisted Soldiers in the 5th Detachment.

“We have maintainers with a lot of experience that can really provide a lot for 2-159th and the other enduring units,” said Lindner.

The unit’s primary focus is on major maintenance events and subcomponent level repair, which maintains air combat power and reduces repair costs for 12th CAB.

To read the story as it appears through the Army News Service, visit www.army.mil/article/152517.