Photo By Lt. Col. Deanna Bague | Staff Sgts. Tywann Andrews, right, and Samuel Dukes, both members of the 261st...... read more read more
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By Maj. Deanna Bague
Fort Bliss Public Affairs
Guardsmen from the 261st Tactical Theater Signal Brigade, Delaware Army National Guard, and the 146th Expeditionary Signal Battalion, Florida Army National Guard, deployed to Iraq from Biggs Army Airfield right before the Thanksgiving holiday after several weeks of training at Fort Bliss.
Brig. Gen. Scott E. Chambers, commander of the 261st TTSB, said this deployment was historic for both the signal and Delaware communities.
"This is the first time since World War II that we've actually deployed a brigade-size element commanded by a general officer," said Chambers.
Once the 261st and the 146th completed the blocks of instruction for all of their required warrior and mission tasks, they began preparations for deployment. Both units received some time off to spend with family either by traveling back to their home state or by having family members visit them here, as in the case of Staff Sgt. Ken Hockensmith, personnel non-commissioned officer, 261st TTSB.
"I'd rather do it this way," said Hockensmith. "It helps keep me focused. I'm focused on my mission and I'm ready to go."
The mission of the 261st TTSB, said 1st Lt. Michael Crilley, is to provide tactical, secure and nonsecure Internet and telephone service for the theater of operations.
"As a signal brigade we're taking on a lot of responsibility over there," said Sgt. Richard LaRocca, 261st TTSB. "To get that training in a month and a half is tough, but we spent a year prior to this mobilization gearing up for this, so we're ready to go."
The 261st TTSB will have the support of the 146th ESB in this undertaking. Both units participated in a mission-rehearsal exercise that prepared them for their assignment in theater. The 261st will have command and control of the Internet protocol network and the 146th is a tactical resource that extends the IP network to warfighters and other types of units that do not have organic communication assets, said Lt. Col. Matt Johnson, commander, 146th ESB.
Although the Guardsmen will not spend this year's holidays at home with their loved ones, morale remains high. Deploying the weekend before Thanksgiving does not dampen morale, said Johnson. He said the family readiness group is in place to keep families informed about activities and events that offer helpful information during deployments.
"Soldiers are deploying with a peace of mind that their families are taken care of," said Johnson.
| Date Taken: | 11.26.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 12.05.2008 16:37 |
| Story ID: | 27239 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 350 |
| Downloads: | 244 |
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