History of the Company B, 1109th Theater Aviation Sustainment Maintenance Group
Posted on Feb 20, 2025 in HING History, UnitsThe lineage of 1109th Theater Aviation Sustainment Maintenance Group (1109th TASMG) traces back to May 1775, originally organized in Norwich, Conn., as the Norwich Light Infantry, that was part of the 20th Regiment of the Connecticut Militia. Over the centuries, it underwent numerous redesignations and transformations, serving in major conflicts including the Revolutionary War, Civil War, World War II and the Global War on Terrorism. The unit has earned several prestigious decorations, including the Presidential Unit Citation, the Meritorious Unit Commendation and the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation for its service.
In modern times, the unit’s heritage continues through its evolution from artillery and transportation roots into a critical aviation sustainment unit. In fiscal year 2012, Company B, 1109th TASMG, joined the 103rd Troop Command of the Hawai‘i Army National Guard at the Waiawa Armory in Pearl City, Hawaii. From its inception, Co B 1109th TASMG has served as a critical sustainment element within the larger aviation support framework.
In 2019 and 2020, Co B 1109th TASMG took part in annual training alongside a WARTRACE unit in Groton, Conn. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Soldiers provided logistical support to Task Force QRF and Task Force Maui. Co B 1109th TASMG played a key role in operations on Maui, where they performed critical vehicle repairs and maintenance to support pandemic response logistics.
Co B 1109th TASMG remained engaged in community support as well. In 2021, Company B soldiers participated in a statewide blood drive in Honolulu to help address local shortages. In 2022 the unit demonstrated excellence in field food service by competing in the prestigious Philip A. Connelly competition. Their performance showcased top-tier execution of military culinary operations, including proper setup, food preparation and sanitation.
In 2023 and 2024, the Maintenance and Medical sections supported major training events at the Joint Readiness Training Center in Fort Johnson, La. In June 2024, the Distribution Section conducted a 40-hour Combat Lifesaver course at Waiawa Armory, certifying 20 soldiers from across the 103rd Troop Command. That same month, the Maintenance Section completed its annual maintenance requirements, ensuring operational readiness and equipment functionality.
Co B 1109th TASMG, remains a mission-critical component of Hawai‘i’s aviation sustainment capability. Through its diverse logistical, medical, and maintenance functions, the unit continues to support both state and national objectives with professionalism, adaptability and excellence.
Last updated April 2025
Lineage and Honors
- Organized in May 1775 in the Connecticut Militia at Norwich as the Norwich Light Infantry, an element of the 20th Regiment
- Converted and redesignated 25 June 1847 as Artillery Company A, 3d Regiment, Connecticut Volunteer Militia
- Mustered into Federal service 14 May 1861 at Hartford as Company D, 3d Connecticut Volunteer Infantry Regiment; mustered out of Federal service 12 August 1861 at Hartford
- Reorganized and redesignated 6 March 1862 as Light Infantry Company B, 3d Regiment
- (Connecticut Volunteer Militia redesignated 6 July 1865 as the Connecticut National Guard)
- Expanded 14 August-10 September 1865 to form Companies B and C, 3d Regiment (Company B – hereafter separate lineage)
- Company C, 3d Regiment, mustered into Federal service 22 June 1898 at Niantic as Company C, 3d Connecticut Volunteer Infantry; mustered out of Federal service 20 March 1899 at Savannah, Georgia, and resumed state status as Company C, 3d Regiment
- Redesignated 5 October 1903 as Company C, 3d Infantry Regiment
- Converted and redesignated 14 December 1907 as the 5th Company, Coast Artillery Corps
- Mustered into Federal service 25 July 1917 at Norwich; drafted into Federal service 5 August 1917
- Reorganized and redesignated 31 August 1917 as the 34th Company, Coast Defenses ofLong Island Sound
- Redesignated 13 April 1918 as the 13th Company, Coast Defenses of Long Island Sound
- Demobilized 16 December 1918 at Fort Terry, New York
- Reorganized and Federally recognized 25 May 1921 in the Connecticut National Guard atNorwich as Headquarters Detachment and Combat Train, 1st Battalion, 192d Artillery (Coast Artillery Corps)
- Reorganized and redesignated 3 November 1921 as Headquarters Detachment andCombat Train, 1st Battalion, 192d Field Artillery, an element of the 43d Division
- Reorganized and redesignated 1 July 1940 as Headquarters Battery, 1st Battalion, 192d Field Artillery
- Inducted into Federal service 24 February 1941 at Norwich
- Reorganized and redesignated 19 February 1942 as Headquarters Battery, 2d Battalion, 203d Field Artillery, and relieved from assignment to the 43d Division
- Reorganized and redesignated 1 March 1943 as Headquarters Battery, 963d Field Artillery Battalion
- Inactivated 28 November 1945 at Camp Kilmer, New Jersey
- Reorganized and Federally recognized 16 September 1947 at Norwich as Headquarters Battery, 745th AntiaircraftArtillery Gun Battalion
- Ordered into active Federal service 14 August 1950 at Norwich; released 13 April 1952 fromactive Federal service and reverted to state control
- Redesignated 1 October 1953 as Headquarters Battery, 745th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion
- Converted and redesignated 1 May 1959 as Company B, 162d Transportation Battalion
- Consolidated 1 September 1961 with the 248th Engineer Company (see ANNEX 1) and consolidated unit redesignated as the 1110th Transportation Company
- Reorganized and redesignated 16 December 1967 as the 1st Platoon, 1109th Transportation Company; on 1 March 1972 as Detachment 1, 1109th Transportation Company
- Converted and redesignated 1 August 1979 as Detachment 1, Groton Connecticut ArmyAviation Classification and Repair Depot, a Table of Distribution and Allowances unit
- Reorganized and redesignated 1 May 1991 as Detachment 1, 1109th Aviation Classification and Repair Activity Depot
- Ordered into active Federal Service 3 February 2003 at Norwich; released from active Federal service 2 February 2004 and reverted to state control
- Ordered into active Federal service 14 May 2008 at Norwich
- Consolidated 1 September 2008 with the 1109th Aviation Classification and Repair Activity Depot (see ANNEX 2); consolidated unit designated as the 1109th Aviation Classification andRepair Activity Depot, and location changed to Groton
- Released from active Federal service 16 June 2009 and reverted to state control
- Reorganized and redesignated 1 March 2012 in the Connecticut Army National Guard as the 1109th Aviation Group, a Table of Organization and Equipment unit
- Ordered into active Federal service 18 June 2012 at Groton
- Location changed 1 March 2013 to Niantic
- Released from active Federal service 22 July 2013 and reverted to state control
- Location changed 19 September 2014 to Groton
ANNEX 1
- Organized 27 March 1902 in the Connecticut National Guard at New London as the 1st Company, Coast Artillery Corps
- Mustered into Federal service 25 July 1917 at New London; drafted into Federal service 5 August 1917
- Reorganized and redesignated 31 August 1917 as the 32d Company, Coast Defenses of Long Island Sound; on 13 April 1918 as the 7th Company, Coast Defenses of Long Island Sound
- Demobilized 16 December 1918 at Fort Terry, New York
- Reorganized and Federally recognized 29 March 1921 in the Connecticut National Guard at New London as Headquarters Battery, 192d Artillery (Coast Artillery Corps)
- Reorganized and redesignated 3 November 1921 as Headquarters Battery, 192d FieldArtillery, an element of the 43d Division
- Inducted into Federal service 24 February 1941 at New London
- Converted and redesignated 19 February 1942 as the Pioneer Company, 643d Tank Destroyer Battalion, and relieved from assignment to the 43d Division
- Reorganized and redesignated 29 July 1942 as the Reconnaissance Company, 643d Tank Destroyer Battalion
- Inactivated 21 December 1943 at Camp Gruber, Oklahoma
- Activated 22 February 1945 in France
- Inactivated 6 November 1945 at Camp San Luis Obispo, California
- Reorganized and Federally recognized 23 October 1947 at New London as Battery C, 745th Antiaircraft Artillery Gun Battalion
- Ordered into active Federal service 14 August 1950 at New London; released 13 April 1952 from active Federal service and reverted to state control
- Redesignated 1 October 1953 as Battery C, 745th AntiaircraftArtillery Battalion
- Redesignated 1 November 1956 as Battery B, 238th AntiaircraftArtillery Battalion
- Reorganized and redesignated 1 May 1959 as Battery B, 2d Gun Battalion, 192d Artillery
- Converted and redesignated 1 July 1961 as the 248th Engineer Company
ANNEX 2
- Organized and Federally recognized 11 May 1937 in the Connecticut National Guard atGroton as Company E, 118th Quartermaster Regiment, an element of the 43d Division
- Inducted into Federal service 24 February 1941 at Groton
- Reorganized and redesignated 19 February 1942 as the Maintenance Platoon, Headquarters Company, 118th Quartermaster Battalion, an element of the 43d Infantry Division
- Reorganized and redesignated 18 August 1942 as the Ordnance Maintenance Platoon, Headquarters Company, 118th Quartermaster Battalion
- Reorganized and redesignated 12 January 1943 as the 743d Ordnance Light Maintenance Company, an element of the 43d Infantry Division
- Inactivated 14 October 1945 at Camp Stoneman, California
- Reorganized and Federally recognized 17 May 1948 at Groton as Battery B, 238th Antiaircraft Artillery Gun Battalion
- Ordered into active Federal service 14 August 1950 at Groton; released 13 June 1952 fromactive Federal service and reverted to state control
- Redesignated 1 October 1953 as Battery B, 238th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion
- Redesignated 1 November 1956 as Battery C, 745th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion
- Converted and redesignated 1 May 1959 as Company A, 162d Transportation Battalion
- Reorganized and redesignated 1 September 1961 as the 1109th Transportation Company
- Location changed 9 September 1961 to New London and on 12 January 1962 to Groton
- Consolidated 1 May 1963 with the 246th Engineer Company (see ANNEX 3) and consolidated unit designated as the 1109th Transportation Company; location concurrently changed to New London
- Consolidated 1 August 1979 with Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 162d Transportation Battalion (see ANNEX 4), and the 1111th Supply Company (see ANNEX 5) and consolidated unit designated as the Groton Connecticut Army Aviation Classification and Repair Depot, a Table of Distribution and Allowances Unit
- Ordered into active Federal service 13 February 1991 at New London
- Redesignated 1 May 1991 as the 1109th Army Aviation Classification and Repair Depot
- Released 1 July 1991 from active Federal service and reverted to state control
- Ordered into active Federal service 3 February 2003 at New London; released from active Federal service 2 February 2004 and reverted to state control
- Ordered into active Federal service 14 May 2008 at New London
ANNEX 3
- Organized 13 August 1942 in the Connecticut National Guard while in Federal service at Port Moresby, New Guinea, as Battery I, 208th Coast Artillery
- Reorganized and redesignated 15 May 1943 as Battery A, 238th Antiaircraft Artillery Searchlight Battalion
- Inactivated 21 April 1945 on Luzon, Philippine Islands
- Reorganized and Federally recognized 13 April 1948 at Mystic as Battery A, 238th Antiaircraft Artillery Gun Battalion
- Ordered into active Federal service 14 August 1950 at Mystic; released 13 June 1952 fromactive Federal service and reverted to state control
- Redesignated 1 October 1953 as Battery A, 238th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion
- Reorganized and redesignated 1 May 1959 as Battery A, 2d Gun Battalion, 192d Artillery
- Converted and redesignated 1 July 1961 as the 246th Engineer Company
- Location changed 12 January 1962 to New London
ANNEX 4
- Organized and Federally recognized 1 May 1959 in the Connecticut Army National Guardat Groton as Headquarters and Service Company, 162d Transportation Battalion
- Reorganized and redesignated 1 September 1961 as Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 162d Transportation Battalion
- Location changed 9 September 1961 to New London, on 12 January 1962 to Groton, on 1 May 1963 to New London, and on 1 January 1965 to Groton
- Reorganized and redesignated 16 December 1967 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 162d Transportation Battalion, and location changed to New London
- Reorganized and redesignated 1 March 1972 as Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 162d Transportation Battalion
ANNEX 5
- Organized and Federally recognized 1 May 1959 in the Connecticut Army National Guard at Niantic as Company C, 162d Transportation Battalion
- Reorganized and redesignated 1 September 1961 as the 1111th Transportation Company
- Location changed 9 September 1961 to New London
- Converted and redesignated 16 December 1967 as the 1111th AircraftSupply Company
- Redesignated 1 May 1972 as the 1111th Supply Company
HOME STATION: Groton (less detachments at Pearl City, Hawaii and Morrisville, North Carolina)
CAMPAIGN PARTICIPATION CREDIT
- Revolutionary War
- New York 1776
- Rhode Island 1777
- Connecticut 1781
- Civil War
- Bull Run
- World War II
- Papua
- Guadalcanal
- New Guinea
- Northern Solomons
- Bismarck Archipelago
- Luzon (with arrowhead)
- Normandy
- Northern France
- Rhineland
- Ardennes-Alsace
- Central Europe
- War on Terrorism
- Global War on Terrorism
- (additional campaigns to be determined)
DECORATIONS
- Presidential Unit Citation (Army), Streamer embroidered PAPUA
- Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army), Streamer embroidered LUZON
- Philippine Presidential Unit Citation, Streamer embroidered 17 OCTOBER 1944 TO 4 JULY 1945
Last updated August 2019
Company B, 1109th Theater Aviation Sustainment Maintenance Group Chronological History
Company B, 1109th Theater Aviation Support Maintenance Ground Company is the newest unit to the 103rd. They are located at the Waiawa Armory. They provide medical services operations up to level II support, food service operations, distribution which consist of petroleum issue and water purification, and ground maintenance airfield support operations.
– 2012 Annual Report pp. 9
The aviation support unit is headquartered in Waiawa, Hawaii. Its mission is to mobilize and deploy assets in order to provide direct and habitual combat service support to the Theater Aviation Sustainment Maintenance Group.
– 2013 Annual Report pp. 11
The aviation support unit is headquartered in Waiawa, Hawaii. Its mission is to mobilize and deploy assets in order to provide direct and habitual combat service support to the Theater Aviation Sustainment Maintenance Group.
– 2014 Annual Report pp. 12
The aviation support unit is headquartered in Waiawa, Hawaii. Its mission is to mobilize and deploy assets in order to provide direct and habitual combat service support to the Theater Aviation Sustainment Maintenance Group.
– 2015 Annual Report pp. 12
Company B 1109th Theater Aviation Sustainment Maintenance Group
The aviation support unit is headquartered in Waiawa, Oahu, and is commanded by Cpt. Shannon M. Ellis. Its mission is to mobilize and deploy worldwide to provide direct and habitual combat service support to the Theater Aviation Sustainment Maintenance Group.
– 2019 Annual Report pp. 13
The aviation support unit is headquartered in Waiawa, Oahu, and is commanded by Capt. Shannon M. Ellis. Its mission is to mobilize and deploy worldwide to provide direct and habitual combat service support to the Theater Aviation Sustainment Maintenance Group. In FY20:
– 2020 Annual Report pp. 15
- Conducted 2019 annual training with WARTRACE unit in Groton, CT in July 2019.
- Provided personnel support to Task Force QRF and Task Force Maui in support of the State of Hawai‘i’s COVID-19 response.
MAY 2020 Co B 1109th TASMG, played a key role during COVID-19 operations in Kihei, Maui. The Soldiers worked to troubleshoot and repair a heavy expanded mobility tactical truck, conduct annual services, replace transmissions, and conduct maintenance operations.

12 JUN 2021 During a collaborative blood drive event held in Honolulu, Soldiers from the Co B 1109th TASMG actively participated in the effort to address blood shortages in the state.

02-03 JUN 2022 Co B 1109th TASMG participated in the Philip A. Connelly competition held in Pearl City. The company demonstrated excellence in military food service operations, including timed setup of cooking and sanitation stations, food preparation, and adherence to safety and sanitation standards.

Commanded by Capt. Cliff Yim and 1st Sgt. Eunjin Chang. It is located at Waiawa Armory, Pearl City. Its mission is to mobilize and deploy worldwide to provide direct and habitual combat service support to the Theater Aviation Sustainment Maintenance Group, and on order, provides NGCS. Co. B, 1109 TASMG’s current mission essential tasks are to provide ground logistic support to include ground equipment maintenance, medical, and distribution.
– 2024 Annual Report pp. 26
- Co. B, 1109 TASMG Maintenance and Medical Section: Provided sustainment support as an exercise support group at the JRTC in Fort Johnson, La. from July 7 to Aug. 6, 2023.
- Co. B, 1109 TASMG Distribution Section: Combat lifesaver training was held at the Waiawa Armory in Pearl City from June 10 to 14, 2024. 20 service members from multiple 103rd TC units were trained and qualified for the 40hrs Combat Lifesaver.
- Co. B, 1109 TASMG Maintenance Section: The Co. B, 1109 TASMG Maintenance Section completed its annual maintenance requirement at the conclusion of AT 2024 on June 17, 2024 at the Wai‘awa Armory in Pearl City.
Leadership
2019-2020 Maj. Manuel Llanes
2023-2024 Capt. Cliff Yim