From the 188th Infantry Brigade

Nearly 3,500 Soldiers from the 56th Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the Texas National Guard stood at attention on Fort Stewart's Cottrell Field Saturday, Nov. 2, 2008, as the unit's colors were cased marking the end of post-mobilization training and the start of the unit's movement into Iraq to support Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The 56th IBCT arrived at Fort Stewart in early September to conduct post-mobilization training and trained seven days a week to prepare for combat. The 56th IBCT will conduct a security force mission while deployed for the year-long tour in Iraq. The SECFOR mission consists primarily of area security and movement and mobility support operations. SECFOR units operate across large spans of hostile terrain at the convoy security company level and the missions are often considered some of the most dangerous missions our Soldiers perform in Iraq.

Training for the 56th IBCT centered on convoy logistic patrol situational training exercises for convoy security companies, and also included gunnery, base defense and other theater specific required training.

Col. Lee Henry, commander, 56th IBCT addressed the gathered crowd at Cottrell Field and thanked the Fort Stewart leadership and community for their support during the intense training period. Henry also thanked the many Texas families in attendance for their unwavering support of their Soldiers.

"These Soldiers are ready," said Henry. "I am proud to serve with every one of them."

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