Iraq taps Alaska military for huge deployment (largest since WWII)

[Barrett808]

Iraq taps Alaska military for huge deployment
ARMY GUARD: Largest group of Alaskans to be activated since WW II.

By HOLBROOK MOHR
The Associated Press
Published: October 2, 2006
Last Modified: October 2, 2006 at 01:32 AM

JACKSON, Miss. -- Camp Shelby will host a send-off bash Tuesday for hundreds of Alaska soldiers bound for Iraq in the state's largest deployment of National Guard troops since World War II.

Gen. Craig E. Campbell, adjutant general of the Alaska National Guard, said the nearly 600 soldiers in the 3rd Battalion, 297th Infantry, from 81 different communities, represent more than a half dozen cultures -- Eskimos, Tlingits, Haidas, Tsimshians, Aleuts, Athabascans and others.

"It's fascinating watching this group come together and get ready to go to war," Campbell said.

Campbell, Alaska Gov. Frank Murkowski and other dignitaries are expected to attend the deployment ceremony. Guard leaders said most of the Alaskans will be given a week of leave after the ceremony to visit with family and friends before heading to Kuwait and then Iraq.

(more)

http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/story/8258857p-8155589c.html

[wakeme2008]

1. And at the current rate... they will be gone two year

:grr:

[DavidDvorkin]

2. "It's fascinating watching soldiers from all over Germany

Get ready to participate in the occupation of Poland," said the general.

[FloridaPat]

3. I wonder how much better the Iraq situation can get?

[sinkingfeeling]

4. "..get ready to go to war"? Doesn't he mean occupation?

[MGD]

5. Alaskan troopers won't fair well at all in the heat of the desert

There's going to be an increase in heat casualties in Iraq starting this week.

[brentspeak]

6. At this rate, ROTC will be called up