Kentucky National Guard gears up for historic deployment - IRAQ - LARGEST SINCE WWII

I added a part from the end of the story to this, because it's important.



Full story:
[link to www.wdrb.com]


Kentucky National Guard gears up for historic deployment

Posted: Jun 30, 2011 5:11 PM CDT
By Chris Wright


EDINBURGH, IN (WDRB Fox 41) – Kentucky National Guard troops continue to get ready for their largest deployment since World War two.

The 149th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade has been called upon to help wind down combat operations in Iraq. It's a mission guardsmen say they are honored to be selected for, and they promise to be ready when they head overseas.

On June 4th, more than 1300 Kentucky guardsmen filed in to say goodbye to friends, family and employers during their deployment ceremony. Once the pomp and circumstance ended, the real work began.

Soldiers like Sergeant Tyler Offutt of Louisville have spent the past month at Camp Atterbury in Indiana. He and his fellow guardsmen have been drilling constantly.

"This is very important. This is the meat and potatoes of what we do as soldiers," said Offutt.

The training includes quick reactionary force drills. The base is under attack, and soldiers must neutralize the threat as quickly as possible.

"Everyone wants to try harder to better than the other, and to motivate those that are slower. Catch them up to your speed, develop a good camaraderie, and of course get better at what you're doing," said Offutt.

While the shooting exercises are important, the soldiers will likely spend most of their time on security. As part of Operation New Dawn, the 149th will be in charge of security, and decommissioning bases as the war winds down.

*end of story added*


While the guardsmen enjoyed showing off their firepower, and practicing cargo drops, their superiors say they will be all business before they leave for Iraq next month. They say the significance of being picked to help end one of the longest wars in U-S history is not lost on the troops.

"History doesn't remember how you got there," said Colonel Scott Campbell. "They remember how you leave. So it's pretty significant that we contribute to the effort to get the US forces out successfully."

The 149th will be also joined by units from Virginia and Utah. All told, their brigade will consist of more than 2600 soldiers.



*could be why we've seen all the military movement across the US lately...or at least a partial part of it anyway.