Photo By Sgt. Mark Cloutier | Lt. Col. Deborah Ellis, commander of the 502nd Military Intelligence Battalion, takes...... read more read more
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JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. - The sun shone on Watkins Field as the 201st Battlefield Surveillance Brigade gave two of its battalions a warm, farewell celebration. The 502nd and 109th Military Intelligence Battalions cased their colors for combat, May 8th, as bleachers full of family, friends and fellow soldiers watched.
Both battalions will be deploying throughout May and June, for a nine-month Afghanistan tour, providing intelligence support to Regional Command South in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
“Both the 109th and the 502nd’s mission will be to conduct intelligence collections operations to support the active operations of brigades in Afghanistan, as well as to collect the intelligence that helps to protect our soldiers,” said Col. Paul Norwood, commander of the 201st BfSB.
Except for the sound of nature, Watkins Field became very quiet as Norwood addressed all in attendance.
“The leadership and the preparation of the soldiers for this deployment have been first class,” Norwood said. “These two battalions have trained on the most technologically advanced equipment and have employed the most advanced training scenarios.”
Norwood thanked the local communities for their steadfast and continued support of JBLM’s ongoing missions and gave a special shout-out to the citizens of Gig Harbor, in friendship and thanks for partnering with the 201st BfSB in helping to meet needs of soldiers downrange.
In conclusion to the day’s ceremony, the band played on, as family members, fellow soldiers and friends dotted the parade field to fulfill their individual meet and greet agendas.
Rebecca Lassoff carried her son Abraham, as she made her way out of the bleacher seats and through the forest of multi-cam uniforms in search of her husband, Pfc. Alexander Lassoff, a human intelligence collector for the 502nd Watchmen. It was all smiles as mom and son caught up with husband/dad.
This will be Lassoff’s first deployment.
“I’m anxious to get over there, get the job done and rejoin my family,” Lassoff said. “I’m hoping to make this a career so I’m looking forward to the experience; I’ve heard so much from others about how it’s going to be – I just want to find out for myself.”
Echoing her husband’s sentiments of controlled anxiety, Rebecca Lassoff shared a few thoughts.
“We’ve been to all of the Family Readiness Group meetings and I feel as prepared as I think I can be under the circumstances – I’m just hopeful that everything goes smoothly.”
Excitement of deployment, as well as confidence of preparation resounded again and again, from soldier and family, to both deploying battalion commanders.
“I am most looking forward to watching our team perform together as we enter this deployment with absolute confidence of our training,” said Lt. Col. Deborah Ellis, commander of the 502nd MI Bn.
“We’re going to Afghanistan at the beginning of their country’s fighting season, and I’m excited to know that these soldiers are carrying with them the most maturity and dedication to duty that I’ve seen in my almost 20 years of service,” said Lt. Col. Douglas Woodall, commander of the 109th MI Bn. Disruptors.
At this point almost all the boxes are checked: troops are trained, equipped and packed; families are informed, encouraged and backed. The 109th and 502nd are almost deployed – just waiting on their flights.
| Date Taken: | 05.15.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 05.15.2012 17:28 |
| Story ID: | 88470 |
| Location: | JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, WASHINGTON, US |
| Web Views: | 736 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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