Major Scott Gallaway served as the commander for Alpha Company, 3-229 Aviation in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The squadron completed predeployment training at the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) and thought the time spent working with the headquarters was very valuable to have a clear understanding of the mission and how they operated prior to entering theater. The squadron took its own personal equipment and fell in on military equipment once in Kandahar, Afghanistan, arriving in November 2002. Gallaway talks about his reception once in Kandahar and the handoff from the previous unit. Once the squadron was in place, one of their missions was to provide a quick reaction force (QRF), which remained on standby 24 hours a day. The QRF was to provide support for special operations force teams, forward operating bases with enemy contact, and serve as escorts for MEDEVAC aircraft. He discusses some of the missions, the challenges that arose and the overall flying environment. Gallaway was able to balance the required maintenance of the aircraft verses the operational tempo to satisfy the requested aircraft for daily missions. After each mission, the squadron would complete an after-action review to formulate and disseminate lessons learned and new tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs) for the benefit of the flying community and the US military. The squadron worked with the New Zealand and Romanian militaries to provide support to their missions. Gallaway also worked with contractors from the States to receive replacement parts for the aircraft without difficulty. In August 2003, Gallaway completed the handoff and redeployed. Gallaway discusses his professional lessons learned and recommendations. During the deployment, his wife was also deployed as an US Army nurse in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Gallaway talks about the benefits the family readiness group provided to spouses and families.

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