In 2018, it was revealed that in 2013 the Idaho Army National Guard because the first to have all female UH-60 helicopter crews, operating inside Afghanistan as part of Task Force Shadow.
“When we first arrived in Afghanistan, the task force was already established and halfway through its rotation. We were like a puzzle piece replacing the Utah Army National Guard. When the 101st arrived to assume the mission from the 82nd, we had been in country for four months and went from being the newbies to the subject matter experts for the new task force.”-Major Nicole Washington recalling her 2012-13 Afghan adventure, when she was known as Captain Nicole Smith
All female Task Force Shadow team, 14JAN2013, Afghanistan. Idaho Army National Guard photo by Captain Robert Taylor. Back row: Nicole Smith, Jackie Keel, Sarah Kitson and Jocelyn Wilk. Front Row: Delia Baldwin, Carlane Birch, Corinth Barrett and Janica Hanover.
(the photographer was a man, sorry you feministas)
This happened in January 2013, but for some reason the story wasn’t released to the public until March 2018, perhaps because ‘traditionalists’ would consider it a true sign that America is Spread Thin.
Alpha Company-1-168th General Support Aviation Battalion-Idaho Army National Guard deployed to Afghanistan in 2012, it was commanded by Captain Nicole Smith (now Major Nicole Washington) and its was a first for The Gem State militia.
The company flew UH-60A/L Black Hawks. On 14JAN2013, two Black Hawks with all female crews took off on a Task Force Shadow mission. It was a first for Task Force Shadow: “It was an honor to participate in that mission, not just because it was all females, but because of what it meant to be able to have the freedom to do so. To have that crew combination of all women flying a combat mission in a land where some of the local women aren’t allowed to drive or even sit in the front seat of a car, much less fly a helicopter… it was the unspoken message behind the mission that meant so much to all of us.”-Major Nicole Washington recalling her Afghan adventure, when she was known as Captain Nicole Smith
Gov’na Butch Otter named the Alpha Company-1-168th General Support Aviation Battalion the outstanding unit of the year upon their return to Idaho in 2013.
“Everyone had a great attitude. Everyone worked hard and long hours for the success of the company. There were no egos, just a desire to see the company succeed and for everyone to come home safe, and we did it together”-Major Nicole Washington
It wasn’t the first time Nicole Smith/Washington was in Afghanistan, she deployed in 2007 with Idaho’s 1-183d Aviation Battalion’s AH-64 Apache gunships.
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