Local pilot among soldiers to serve in Iraq

One hundred seventy soldiers belonging to the Montana National Guard's 1-189th Aviation Battalion departed for Fort Sill, Okla., from Helena earlier this month. One of the soldiers was 30-year-old Sgt. John W. Gehring, a former St. Ignatius resident and descendant of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.

Gehring's battalion is undergoing training in Fort Sill for the next three to four months in preparation for duty in Iraq. Once they complete training the battalion will be deployed to Balad, Iraq for approximately 15 months.

Gehring entered into the National Guard in 2000 upon completion of his Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science from the University of Montana-Western at Dillon. He then graduated from flight school in Fort Rucker, Ala., in August 2002, and received certification as a helicopter pilot.

Gehring's parents, John L. and Florence Gehring, explained they were unsure of how to feel when their son informed them of his assignment. "I was worried and not very happy about it," John L. said. He also mentioned that he did not want to say too much about his son having to serve in Iraq, because he does support the troops.

Florence added she tried not to get too excited when she heard the news. "I'm used to my son," she continued, "When he was younger he was always doing something dangerous, from riding freestyle bikes to riding bulls."

"He's always been a daredevil - now he's flying a Black Hawk helicopter," said Florence.

Gehring's fiancee', Amber Lawler, is also in the National Guard, and is presently employed at Fort Harrison near Helena. There is also the possibility she may be called to serve within the next year. Lawler and Gehring are expecting their first child this November, and they are hoping he will be granted leave to attend the birth.

Lawler said when she signed up with the National Guard nearly four years ago she knew there was the possibility of being called to active duty. "Part of it is obligation," stated Lawler. Gehring and Lawler have already made plans that if she is called to active duty, Gehring's parents will care for the child until they return.

"We're just like everyone else. It's hard to be away from your family, but this is our current task and we have to take it a day at a time."