The 1-135th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion from Missouri, who are conducting training at Camp Bowie, presented a certificate of appreciation to Brownwood Mayor Stephen Haynes and the Brownwood City Council on Tuesday to thank them for the support.

“We would like to just express our appreciation to the City of Brownwood and to the city fathers and leaders for your support of our training,” Lt. Col. James Schreffler. “We are preparing to go to Afghanistan here shortly.  We’ve been at Ft. Hood for three months now and this is our training event bringing our aircraft to your community.”

The City of Brownwood landfill provided used tires that the landfill has collected from illegal dumping to the battalion to assist in training while they are in the area.

“Something so simple as tires doesn’t seem significant, but when we have the number of aircraft that we have out there, over 20, landing in a small area at nighttime without lights, those tires hold the heat and that is what allows us to see through our thermal imaging system to conduct operations safely, so thank you very much,” Schreffler said.

The battalion arrived at Brownwood City Hall Tuesday morning in a convoy with two helicopters overhead to demonstrate how the air support protects ground transport in Afghanistan.

Pictured at top are Brownwood City Council members with members from the 1-135th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion from Missouri

Pictured is Schreffler presenting certificate to Brownwood Mayor Stephen Haynes.

Pictured is the convoy arriving at Brownwood City Hall Tuesday morning.

Pictured is Schreffler with Tim W. Airheart, City of Brownwood Solid Waste Services Manager who arranged the tires for the battalion.