The city of Russellville adopted the 7th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment (Eagle Lift) this fall at city hall. LTC Stephen A. Toumajan was present to accept the honor for the Battalion who has offered ongoing support to Logan County for years. The ceremony included a salute and appreciation with a barbecue meal.

Brother Joe Carrico spoke at the ceremony about the Battalion and Toumanjan. He talked about how they have always been there ready to help the citizens of the county when called. Carrico mentioned snow storms when Eagle Lift delivered medicine and coal to households by helicopter. He said they have always been willing to lend a hand and feels they will always be there for us.

LTC Toumajan accepted a golden key to the city as well as a proclamation that sets aside a special day for the regiment. Representative Sheldon Baugh was present at the ceremony and presented Toumajan with a certificate signifying him as a Kentucky Colonel.

Toumajan entered the U.S. Army in 1985 upon graduation from the Marion Military Institute, Marion, Ala. He was commissioned in the Infantry as a 2nd Lieutenant, platoon leader in the North Carolina National Guard. He attended his final two years of college at the University of North Carolina-Wilmington and graduated as a Distinguished Military Graduate, receiving a Regular Army Commission in Army Aviation.

After the Infantry Officer Basic Course at Ft. enning Georgia, he was assigned to Fort Rucker to attend flight training. His first assignment was with the 2nd battalion 82nd Airborne Division, at Fort Bragg North Carolina where he served as a Platoon Leader and Company Executive Officer.

After the Gulf War and upon completion of the Aviation Officer Advanced Course in 1991, LTC Toumajan was assigned to the 5th Battalion 101st Air Assault Division. He served as the Company Commander for Bravo Company and Battalion S4 before being assessed and accepted into TF 160th.

After completing SERS (HR) (High Risk) training he was then assigned as a Platoon Leader and Operations Officer in Delta Company 1-160th. After three years in Delta Company 1-160th he was assigned to 160th, Regiment where he served as the Assistant S3 and Future Plans Officer. After four years with the 160th, LTC Toumajan attended the Command and General Staff College (CGSC) at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. While in school he earned an Executive-MBA at Benedictine College. Upon graduation in June 1999, he was sent to Korea and was assigned to the 1st Battalion 52nd Regiment Aviation as the battalion S3 and the Battalion Executive Officer.

He was then sent to CGSC as an Aviation Tactics Instructor. In 2002 he was sent to Joint Special Operations Command as a Joint Aviation Operations Officer. His combat experience consists of four combat tours spanning between; Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

His awards include: the Bronze Star medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Southwest Asia Service Ribbon, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Korea Defense Service Medal, the MOVSM, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Saudi Arabian Liberation Medal, and the Kuwait Liberation Medal.

He also wears the coveted Army Ranger Tab, the Master Army Aviator Badge, Senior Parachutist Badge, the Air Assault Badge, and Australian Jump Wings.

He is married to the former Donna Lee Bradley of Newport, Ark. and they have one son Stephen.

The history of the Eagle Lift Battalion is lengthy and they have many accomplishments. Some of which include: The Republic of Korea Presidential Citation, the Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm (1968-1969), the Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Clasp (1970), the Valorous Unit Award, the Meritorious Unit Commendation for service in Southwest Asia, the Army Superior Unit Award for service in Honduras, and most recently the 2002 LTG Ellis D. parker Award for Outstanding Aviation Unit of the Year.