AREA SOLDIERS SHIPPING OUT
Friday, January 9th, 2009 -- 11:46 AM
Friday is a big day for area soldiers.As part of the largest mobilization of Wisconsin National Guard troops since World War II, the around 3,500 troops from the 32 Brigade are reporting to their local armories.
The 32 Brigade includes units in Neillsville, Abbotsford, Eau Claire, Arcadia, Marshfield and Wisconsin Rapids.
"This Friday, we report to our armories across the state and prepare for Saturday's movement down to Camp Blanding, Florida," explains Sgt. 1st Class David Barth of Neillsville, "While we're down there, we can expect to work on related job tasks that we'll be doing during our upcoming mission to Iraq."
By most accounts, this call-up is going much smoother than those earlier in the conflict.
Soldiers were give plenty of warning that this was coming, and know their specific missions.
"Our particular mission will be a security mission. We'll be doing detainee operations. Working out of one of Iraq's detention facilities. Handling prisoners and shuttling them back and forth from various detention facilities," Barth explains.
Barth, like most of the soldiers, has already been overseas as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He?s been pleasantly surprised that most of the soldiers that served chose to re-enlist.
"I would have expected some of those to jump ship; well, the majority of them have not. They've re-enlisted. They're stepping up and doing the right thing," Barth notes, "Probably 60-65% of our soldiers are prior deployed. They are doing a great job with the younger soldiers."
"There's a lot of anxiety with the younger soldiers. Fear of the unknown. That's where we as veterans step up, take them under our wing and let them know, essentially, that it's going to be alright. We'll take care of them."
The 1158th Transportation Company from Black River Falls is among the six units outside of the 32nd Brigade being deployed.
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