Boundary, Bonner troops prepare to deploy
Sgt. Jason VanEtten from the 145th Brigade Support Battalion demonstrates a 50 Calibur M2 Browning Machine Gun on an up armored Humvee.
BONNERS FERRY — The Idaho National Guard, including members from Boundary County, will deploy to Iraq in December.
Nearly 80 soldiers attached to the Post Falls armory will be effected by the mobilization, along with 25 soldiers each from Bonners Ferry and Sandpoint, said. Col. Tim Marsano, Idaho National Guard Spokesman.
In August, the annual two-week training period increased to 26 days to further hone soldiers’ skills on the battalion and brigade level.
Next week from Post Falls the soldiers will become active duty and be sent to Camp Shelby in Mississippi for a 60-day training, then mobilize to Iraq for approximately 10 months.
Lt. Col. Barren Blagburn, 145th Brigade Support Battalion commander, said after collective training is complete at Camp Shelby the soldiers will go to various locations throughout Iraq and won’t be in one specific place.
“During our last deployment, our units were used as combat brigade teams,” Blagburn said. “This time, as our mission in Iraq winds down, they will serve as force protection and transportation security, guarding bases and convoys moving supplies and personnel.”
They'll also be away from home for a shorter period of time, Blagburn said.