Photo By Ismael Ortega | Soldiers assigned to 1st Battalion, 124th Infantry Regiment, stand at attention during...... read more read more
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Florida Guardsmen from the Sunshine State departed from the Silas L. Copeland Arrival/Departure Airfield Control Group after completing mobilization training with the Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security, here. The 1st Battalion, 124th Infantry Regiment, Florida Army National Guard, will spend the better part of a year at the Horn of Africa. Their mission will be force protection, security forces assistance and building a partnership with the host nation and NATO forces.
Since 2001, the unit has deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan on four occasions, but this will be their first time assigned to the United States Africa Command. Many Soldiers are excited to hit the ground running after relieving their sister unit, the 2nd Battalion, 124th Infantry Regiment, Florida Army National Guard.
“We’ve never done any type of mission like this before,” Lt. Col. Julio Acosta, commander, 1st Bn., 124th Inf. Regt., said. “(The Soldiers are) looking forward to the opportunity.”
To prepare for the deployment, the unit started premobilization training in July 2015, focusing on individual tactics and techniques. With that out of the way, the unit moved on to squad level exercises in February as part of their annual training. Fort Bliss and McGregor Range, New Mexico, was their final stop before validating their platoon and command staff. Soldiers will protect forces in East Africa as well as safeguard facilities and national interest using the knowledge gained from months of training and the guidance from the Soldiers who previously deployed to that region.
“The ones that have deployed before understand this is not a combat deployment, but there’s going to be a lot of opportunity to grow,” Capt. Stephen Murga, commander, Company C, 1st Bn., 124th Inf. Regt., said.
During the training here and in Florida, many Soldiers distinguished themselves by excelling in duties, responsibility and proficiency. An award ceremony was held May 16 at McGregor Range to recognize more than 50 Soldiers who were awarded the Army Achievement and Army Commendation Medals for their efforts. An additional 20 Soldiers were promoted as well.
“The biggest thing is to have a goal going into a deployment, you’ll have a lot of opportunity to better yourself,” Capt. Maurice Toller, commander, Company E, (Forward Support Company), 53rd Brigade Support Battalion, said. “Going through the deployment with a goal, finding a way to pass time, staying in contact with your family will help speed up the time.”
The battalion goals include completing all training requirements ahead of schedule as well as conducting tough and realistic training with allied forces. Many individual goals include completing structured self-development courses, increasing physical fitness while preparing for the Expert Infantry Badge or for Army Ranger training.
Morale has remained high throughout the training with many Soldiers looking forward to the deployment. For many this will be their first time overseas and for others, the first time outside of U.S. Central Command.
“I think everybody’s excited and they’re all motivated,” Acosta said. “The next phase of the operation is just to get there, be on the ground and relieve our sister battalion to get those boys home.”
| Date Taken: | 06.16.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 06.17.2016 10:36 |
| Story ID: | 201550 |
| Location: | MCGREGOR RANGE, NEW MEXICO, US |
| Web Views: | 228 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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