Local soldiers to mobilize for Iraq
The Montana Army National Guard on Monday announced a one-year mobilization of about 500 of its members this fall.
The mobilization includes 30 to 40 soldiers from the Kalispell area.
According to a story from The Associated Press, the deployment will send 2,700 soldiers from Montana, Oregon and Idaho to Iraq.
Plans call for the group to train for two months at Camp Shelby, Miss., starting Sept. 17 before heading to Iraq for the remaining 10 months of the yearlong deployment, Col. Tim Marsano said.
Montana Guard Brig. Gen. John Walsh announced the order he received mobilizing Montana’s 1-163rd Cavalry Regiment and Company E-145th Forward Support Company.
“This is the second time that the Montana Army National Guard’s 163rd ‘Cav’ Regiment has deployed since 2004 with the 116th Brigade Combat Team,” Walsh said.
Maj. Tim Crowe, a Montana Guard public affairs officer, said Guard members from this area function as a detachment to the Missoula Bravo Company of the 163rd. Crowe said their mission involves providing security to convoys moving supplies and material for the Overseas Contingency Operation.
Crowe said that designation applies to overall operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. He said he could not confirm the destination of the deployment.
Montana Guardsmen first were alerted on Sept. 4 of a potential mobilization. Crowe said the early warning allows soldiers to get their affairs in order prior to a deployment and it initiates readiness training for the mission.
The 1-163rd serves as part of the 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team, the largest unit of the Idaho National Guard. Its mission is described as providing battlefield commanders with armored reconnaissance, tanks, heavy artillery, logistics support and personnel.
Since returning in 2005 from 18 months in Iraq, the 116th soldiers have focused on training for stability, support and security missions. According to Crowe, a break of about five years between deployments is standard.
Along with the detachment in Kalispell, the 163rd Cavalry Regiment has units and armories in Belgrade, Billings, Lewistown, Butte, Missoula, Great Falls and Helena.
The 116th Cavalry Brigade consists of about 5,000 soldiers, according to the 163rd’s website.
Reporter Candace Chase may be reached at 758-4436 or by e-mail at cchase@dailyinterlake.com.