National Guard unit deployed to Iraq
See the slideshow that’s won the hearts of many including radio talk show host Mark Davis and WBAP : View slideshow of Deployment Ceremony
Approximately 400 members of the National Guard’s 2nd Battalion of the 149th Aviation Brigade left Sunday morning for Fort Sill, Oklahoma to complete their training before deploying to Iraq.
Headquartered in Grand Prairie, the 2nd Battalion, 149th will combine with units from Minnesota, Oklahoma and South Carolina to comprise the battalion. The battlion will be stationed in LSA Anaconda, Balad, Iraq until June 2009. The battalion’s mission is to fly air assault, VIP transportation, heavy lifting and general air support missions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
The unit has a rich history in Grand Prairie with previous deployments:
- 1961 – Fort Polk, Louisiana - Cuban Missile Crisis
- 1990 – Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm
- 2003 - Operation Iraqi Freedom
- The unit helped with rescue operations during the 500-year flood in Missouri, hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and support of the 25th Infantry Division during a non-combat evacuation training exercise.
A Departure Ceremony was held Saturday at Warrior Coliseum at South Grand Prairie High School where members, family and friends gathered for a day of fun, music and food along with a service to honor the soldiers.
Featured speaker of the ceremony, columnist and radio personality, Mark Davis spoke to the soldiers thanking them and their families for their sacrifices. He also reminded everyone of their responsibility to support our troops both at home and abroad.
On Sunday the battalion assembled at their facility and departed in buses for their trip to Fort Sill, Oklahoma.
Several chapters of the Patriot Guards provided a motorcycle escort to the convoy for the entire trip.
Comments
My son Charles was in that convoy going to Ft Sill. Everyone please keep him in your prayers. Thanks !
Posted by: Lynne Gougenheim | June 9, 2008 11:00 AM
Please pray for all our soldiers that are headed to Iraq. My Daughter,My Soldier, My Hero! My daughter Shawntae is one of those soldiers.
Posted by: Nora E. Villegas | June 10, 2008 08:51 AM
We will be praying for all of our soldiers. We were on SE 14th St, to send them off, it was great to see so many people that care. Thanks to the Grand Prairie Police Dept, the Patriot Guards and everyone that helped to send our soldiers off.
Posted by: Donna Underwood | June 11, 2008 02:49 PM
My friend, aka little bro, Charlie is leaving us to head to Iraq soon. Please pray for a safe deployment and a smooth and fast return :) God bless you and thank you for your service!
Posted by: Ron and Kelli Lord | June 13, 2008 03:14 PM
My son is the one in the Humvee, throwing a salute. After 3 combat tours in Iraq as a U.S. Marine, he volunteered for a 4th tour as an Army Specialist on a Chinook Helicopter.
All of these guys and girls are heros to me.
Posted by: Brian M. Bailey | June 16, 2008 11:20 AM
My son too was in that convoy! What a bitter sweet day. Sad but yet soo proud! We are pilots and plan to be at Fort Sill on Aug the 18th to help transport soldiers to see their families for their leave before they deploy. We have several airplanes and pilots on standby. We are working with the commanders at Fort Sill. Thanks again and best wishes to each of you and your soldiers!
Posted by: Michele Bright | June 17, 2008 09:14 AM
I can only say that I was definitely proud to support the men and women as they departed. I will be there when all of them return! My Best Friend was in the convoy and I am so proud of her!
Posted by: Kelly Wilson | June 18, 2008 12:59 PM