CAMBRIDGE SPRINGS — Using a sports analogy to describe the 350 troops from the local Pennsylvania National Guard Readiness Center, Capt. Steve Huckaby said “moral is high” and the 112th Infantry 56th Stryker Brigade is “suited up and ready to take the field.”
“Some are already in the Iraqi theatre, setting up our advanced parties and are meeting with those from whom we will be taking over responsibilities,” Huckaby said.
The first group of soldiers departed last week from Fort Dix, but the lion’s share will be leaving throughout this week, he said.
“The bulk of the soldiers will be in Kuwait preparing to move into Iraq by the end of next week,” Huckaby said. “And by the end of the month, we will have completed movement into the theatre.”
The mission of the local Stryker unit is to help the Iraqi government during its transition back into power. The men and women who comprise it hail from throughout Pennsylvania and will help train its military and support operations to help neutralize insurgent activity.
As the area troops arrive, they will be replacing those who have been involved in an existing operation. Those who are being replaced will soon be homeward bound.
In all, the 56th Brigade is comprised of 4,000 men and women, many of whom have trained day-in and day-out for the past four months. After a brief but much-appreciated holiday break, they returned to Fort Indiantown Gap Jan. 2 where they trained at Fort Dix, N.J., for several weeks and completed their final state-side training.
Huckaby said he’s received communications — including text messages — from members of the unit. They were all excited to move out.
“It’s been a long training cycle for them,” Huckaby said. “It’s dangerous work but they are anxious to get on with their mission.”
Huckaby commented that moral is high due to the tremendous outpouring of support they have received from the community.
“I really want the story to get out there that these guys have done a lot of hard work,” he said. “We are all extremely grateful for support we have received and want all to know that none of us take it for granted.”
Penni Schaefer can be reached at 724-6370 or by e-mail at pschaefer@meadvilletribune.com.´
WHAT TO WATCH FOR:
Stay tuned. Over the next several months, the Pennsylvania National Guard Readiness Center in Cambridge Springs hopes to set up a two-way teleconference station so members of the 112th Infantry 56th Stryker Brigade can communicate with their loved ones on site.
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