C Company 1-168 AVN REGT (GSAB) traces its lineage back to the start of the Sarsfield Grenadier Guard in Sacramento, California. The colorful lineage of the unit takes it through many different configurations including service in the Pacific in World War II where the unit received the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit for the Aleutian Islands, Eastern Mandates
(with arrowhead), Leyte (with arrowhead) and Ryukyus. In 1974 the unit was reorganized into the 126th Medical Company (Air Ambulance). March of 1974 the 126th drilled for the first time as a MEDEVAC unit. The mission of providing aerial MEDEVAC to state civil disasters and emergencies has carried on since 1974. The 126th Medical Company (Air Ambulance) has exemplified the motto “DUSTOFF” by being constantly involved in lifesaving, search and rescue, firefighting, and relief operations throughout the state, nation, and world for the last three decades. The 126th has been activated numerous times during its extensive 39 year history. In the mid 70’s, the unit was tasked to provide aerial support for CAMP (Campaign Against Ma*****na Planting) where the nickname “Green Thunder” was used. The 80’s were filled with deployments to Wounded Warrior I-III (1981, 1985, 1988), Shuttle Landings, Edwards AFB (1981), Los Angeles Summer Olympics (1984), Border Rangers I&II (1988-1989) and the Loma Prieta Earthquake, San Francisco (1989). Bliss and Honduras (1990-1991) in support of Desert Storm/ Desert Shield to provide MAST (Military Assistance to Safety and Traffic). It was in Honduras that the 126th lost three of its members (all female crew). The Northridge Earthquakes, Los Angeles area (1994). The evening after the early morning Northridge Earthquake in Los Angeles (1994), the 126th had 10 UH-1’s in Los Alamitos to provide MEDEVAC coverage. In 1997 the 126th received their first UH-60A Blackhawks and transitioned to a complete Blackhawk unit by 1998. Many of these individuals present today can remember the deployment to Bosnia from 1998-1999 where 90 individuals and 10 helicopters were sent to provide outstanding medical support for NATO forces for a period of 270 days. Shortly thereafter, the 126th was called into action to provide MEDEVAC support for the 5,000 troops in the area for numerous international athletes and civilians in the area. In 2002, the 126th Medical Company (Air Ambulance), reorganized into a split-state unit between California and Nevada. With the multi-state relationship in its infancy, the unit was tasked to deploy to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. 41 soldiers and 6 UH/HH-60 Helicopters took their place in history as being the first Army unit to deploy the HH-60L helicopters to a combat environment, etching the units place in aviation history and the history of the California National Guard. While deployed, they performed over 153 successful missions, to include 200 patient transports, and logged over 450 hours of flight time in some of the “harshest flight environments the unit has ever flown in.” The two teams based in Bagram and Kandahar were awarded 8 Bronze stars and numerous air medals for their courageous efforts in all weather and combat conditions. In 2005 the 126th Medical Company (AA) was transformed to C Co 1-168th Aviation Regiment (GSAB). The GSAB (General Support Aviation Battalion) is the new modular format of Army Aviation Battalions. Charlie Company successfully deployed for Operation Bright Star to provide “real world” MEDEVAC at Mubarik Military City, Egypt. One week after redeployment they were then called to assist in the rescue operations of hurricanes Katrina and Rita in New Orleans. Throughout the deployments, the C Co 1-168th (GSAB) continued to support EUCOM, PACOM, EUSA, and NORTHCOM exercises; Soldiers of C Co volunteered for deployments to Iraq. The entire unit including detachments from Nevada and Wyoming deployed to Afghanistan (OEF) from 2008 thru 2009. The unit’s performance in combat set a new standard for MEDEVAC in the US ARMY. C Company Soldiers received numerous accolades including 4 Meritorious Unit Commendations, 1 Valorous Unit Award, 1 Silver Star for Gallantry, 1 Bronze Star for Valor, 3 Distinguished Flying Crosses, and numerous Bronze Stars and Air Medals. Today the unit continues to provide its flawless support of numerous missions for the state of California. The Soldiers of C Co 1-168th (GSAB) have always been ready when called upon and will continue to be ready when the next call comes. DUSTOFF FOREVER!!
