Photo By Staff Sgt. Jordan Sivayavirojna | Soldiers with Battery A, 1st Battalion, 158th Artillery Regiment, 45th Field Artillery...... read more read more
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LAWTON, Okla. - Oklahoma Army National Guard Soldiers with Battery A, 1st Battalion, 158th Artillery Regiment, said farewell to family, friends, and loved ones during a deployment ceremony at the Lawton High School gymnasium in Lawton, Oklahoma, Sunday.
The unit is preparing for their deployment to the Middle East in support of Operation Spartan Shield.
“The Guard has always played an integral part in who we are as Americans,” said Maj. Gen. Michael C. Thompson, adjutant general for Oklahoma. “It’s standing room only here today. This community really supports the Guard, and we’re very grateful for that relationship we have.”
Among the Citizen Soldiers deploying with the Battery is Sgt. 1st Class Steven Stanley, an artillery platoon sergeant going on his third deployment. Stanley, who works as a security guard in his civilian career, is also a husband and a father of three boys.
“I feel they’re ready,” Stanley said of his fellow Soldiers. “I have a couple guys in my platoon that have deployed and have a lot of experience, so collectively we’ve shared that experienced and talked to the newer Soldiers, and we feel they’re ready to go.”
For deployed Soldiers, family readiness is a crucial factor for mission success.
“We’re focusing on Soldier readiness,” said Command Sgt. Maj. David Slezickey, command sergeant major for the 158th. “We’re getting the Soldiers ready by getting their families ready, and they know what their support channels are back home.”
As the Soldiers prepare to leave, their families are preparing for the adjustment to life without their loved ones.
“We know they’re successful at shooting rockets and missiles, we know they’re going to have success down range,” Slezickey said. “It’s our job to make sure everything is good at home.”
The Soldiers will now transition to post-mobilization training before officially heading overseas.
“Honestly, it’s a little emotional for me,” Thompson said. “I’ve been at this for a long time—more than 30 years, and it’s comforting for me when I see so many young people that are coming in behind me, putting the uniform on and going through the hardships and making the sacrifices to go out and serve our country."
"It doesn’t matter how often that call comes, it doesn’t matter how long that call lasts,” said Thompson. “When that call comes, we always faithfully answer.”
| Date Taken: | 01.12.2020 |
| Date Posted: | 01.14.2020 11:44 |
| Story ID: | 358884 |
| Location: | LAWTON, OKLAHOMA, US |
| Web Views: | 196 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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