Photo By Master Sgt. Blair Heusdens | U.S. Soldiers with 3rd Battalion, 116th Field Artillery Regiment were honored during a...... read more read more
Subscribe
SEBRING, Fla. – Family, friends and community members from Florida’s Heartland honored more than 300 soldiers from the Florida National Guard’s 3rd Battalion, 116th Field Artillery Regiment during a deployment ceremony, February 21, 2013, in Sebring, Fla.
The soldiers are preparing to deploy to Qatar to provide security at U.S. military installations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Unlike their previous deployment to Iraq in 2005, the battalion was able to complete most of the pre-mobilization training for its upcoming deployment close to home, allowing the soldiers to spend more time with their families.
“This has been arduous at times, but most would agree, this is the preferred method for minimizing the time away from home, family and civilian employers,” said Col. Matthew Hearon, commander of the 164th Air Defense Artillery Brigade.
Over the past 15 months, the battalion has worked hard and undergone several changes. In January of 2012, the unit completed training on a new equipment system – the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System or HIMARs – and successfully conducted live fire exercises at Camp Blanding Joint Training Center. Just a few months later, the battalion was transformed into a security forces battalion and began intensive training to prepare for its new mission.
“To say this has been a busy year for the battalion is a gross understatement,” said Maj. Gen. Emmett R. Titshaw Jr., The Adjutant General of Florida. “Your high level of success during the period of intense activity is indicative of outstanding unit leadership and, more importantly, of the dedication and support of your families.”
The unit, with subordinate units based in Arcadia, Lake Wales and Plant City, will travel to Camp Shelby Joint Training Center, Miss., to complete approximately 45 days of training prior to its departure.
“I’m very proud of what the soldiers have accomplished this past year and the great job I know they will do overseas in the Middle East,” said Lt. Col. David Pellett, the battalion commander.
| Date Taken: | 02.21.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 02.22.2013 14:02 |
| Story ID: | 102389 |
| Location: | SEBRING, FL, US |
| Web Views: | 153 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Florida Guardsmen honored during deployment ceremony, by MSG Blair Heusdens, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT