Team Wings of Lightning Baking Angels
See Updates below!
I'd like to present MAJ Guido Lyons and his Brigade as our upcoming May Cindy's Baking Angels Team!
MAJ Guido Lyons and the Brigade S3 (Operations) Future Operations and Plans Section are responsible for coordinating and planning aviation operations beyond 48 hours. The 25th Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB) supports the entire Regional Command South, and is based out of Kandahar Airfield in southern Afghanistan. (MAJ Spencer Anderson's TF Lightning Horse falls under the 25th CAB. You may recall Team Lightning Horse was a former Cindy's Baking Angels Team!)
MAJ Lyons writes, "All my friends call me Guido. It's a nickname I got in high school and it stuck. It's been a great nickname, until those Jersey Shore jerks ruined it! I was born in New York, but grew up in North Carolina. I am a 1997 graduate of Appalachian State University in Boone, NC. I met my wife Becky at Appalachian State University, and we have been married since 1998. (Becky is super awesome, by the way.) We do not have any children, but we do have a 13 year old Jack Russell Terrier named Biscuit."
Guido goes on to say, "I am currently assigned to 25th Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB), based out of Wheeler Army Airfield, Oahu, Hawaii. The 25th Infantry Division is known as the "Tropic Lighting" hence the 25th CAB is known as the "Wings of Lightning". I am currently deployed in support of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM to Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. I work in the Brigade S3 (Operations) Future Operations and Plans Section, responsible for coordinating and planning future aviation operations. The 25th Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB) supports the entire Regional Command South, and is based out of Kandahar Airfield in southern Afghanistan."
"This is my third deployment, first time to Afghanistan, twice to Iraq (2005, 2009-2010) My last deployment to Iraq I was on a Stability Transition Team assigned to advise the 8th Iraqi Army Division."
"Based on my previous advisory experience, I was selected as the liaison officer for our partnership with the Kandahar Airwing. While not an official advisory role, it is interesting to help advise and assist the Afghan pilots. We have conducted several missions with our helicopters flying with the Kandahar Airwing Mi-17 helicopters."
MAJ Lyons past assignments include: FT Hood, TX; FT Bragg, NC; Corpus Christi Recruiting Company; Corpus Christi; TX FT Leavenwort; KS FT Benning; and GA Wheeler Army Airfield, HI.
25th Combat Aviation Brigade TF WINGS Motto:
Lele Makou No Na Puali...We fly for the troops!
For more information, please feel free to email me at cindysbakingangels@comcast.net.
August 6, 2012 UPDATE:
This weekend I received a wonderful surprise from MAJ Guido Lyons, of Team Wings of Lightning Baking Angels. I received my second official U.S. flag! This one was from Operation Enduring Freedom Task Force Diamond Head! Guido was kind enough to send and told me that he flew with it over Afghanistan during a mission on July 4, 2012!
I am honored and humbled to have received it and I hold all of our Troops in my heart and pray for their well being and safe return to their families every single day. You are true heroes in every sense of the word!
Thank you, Guido, for thinking of me and Cindy's Baking Angels! Justin, hubby, now has another project on his to-do list :). I can't wait to get them both displayed.
May 16, 2012 UPDATE:
More news from Guido today! He writes, "I got 6 more boxes today! Special thanks to Angie R., Elaine V., Darlita S., and Sandra B.!
As you can see from the crumbs, the last shipment didn't last long! You have some expert bakers and creative box packers on hand! Despite some smashed boxes (military mail handlers are not well known for thier gentle handling of the mail, hahahhaha) I am pleased to report that all cookies, treats, snacks, and personal hygiene products have arrived in excellent condition. My female soldiers appreciated the girlie soaps and smell goods!
Thanks again to all of the Baking GALS and your team of Angels!
UPDATE: Shipping has begun and MAJ Lyons is anticipating a deluge of love from our Team! Here are a few photos of our goodie boxes being sent! Thanks to all for making this such a successful Team!
Boxes are arriving and Guido says, "WOW! I already got the first box of goodies!!! It didn't last long, it was demolished in a hurry!"
May 14, 2012 UPDATE:
"I am definitely feeling the love! I got 6 boxes (yours included) today.
1 from Wheeler (chocolate & peanutbutter chip) yum!
2 from Lisa L.(butter scotch/chocolate chip & oatmeal raisin, plus a bunch of other candy and drink mix)
1 from Penny G.r (her brownies were a huge hit...they didn't last long at all)
and 1 from you (thanks for the magazines and snacks!)
I am going into diabetic insulin shock!
Here's a few pics of the loot, all the guys really enjoyed the cookies and other goodies. You have quite the team of bakers. It is so wonderful to get boxes from all over the country expressing their support."
