Army Support Activity-Dix, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., Jan. 25, 2010 — Eight Soldiers with the Montana Army National Guard's 103rd Public Affairs Detachment, headquartered at Fort Harrison in Helena, completed mobilization training, Jan. 22, at ASA-Dix for a deployment to Baghdad, Iraq.
The photojournalists and broadcasters are deploying in support of United States Forces in Iraq and will directly support 3rd Corps Public Affairs. Their mission will be to capture the stories of military members in print, photography and video.
According to the detachment's commander, Helena resident Capt. Dana Barnicoat, his unit will not be going into Iraq without experience, as two of his Soldiers, Sgt. 1st Class Dey and Spc. Bodnar, work full-time for the state's National Guard Public Affairs Office. Another of his Soldiers, Sgt. Chris McMann, served on a previous deployment to Iraq.
"The training we have received from Maj. [Randall] Short at the National Guard Bureau and Capt. [Antonia] Greene here at ASA-Dix has provided insight and experience to the preparation for a successful mission. The training at Dix has been top-notch," Barnicoat said.
While at ASA-Dix the Soldiers of the 103rd spent 17 days brushing up on their weapons and driving skills and other pre-mobilization training, along with covering events on the Joint Base for print and video stories. They also trained on the Digital Video Information Distribution System, a transportable satellite transmission system for sending print, photographic and video material stateside for publication.
Barnicoat said the training would prove invaluable as his Soldiers engaged the Iraqi populace and coalition forces.
"This phase, nation-building, is a very important phase in the war because during this phase we must ensure that the Iraqi government is successful for today and future generations. Our covering of events throughout our area of responsibility is paramount to building the foundation on which their success will be built," he said.
| Date Taken: | 02.19.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 02.19.2010 11:43 |
| Story ID: | 45579 |
| Location: | FORT DIX, NEW JERSEY, US |
| Web Views: | 146 |
| Downloads: | 125 |
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