Indiana's 38th Infantry Division Headquarters deploy, first time since World War II

Photo By Staff Sgt. Tegan Kucera | Staff Sgt. Cameron De Hart of the 205th Infantry Division, First Army Division East, pets a goat at a training site at Camp Atterbury, Ind., Aug. 5. The training area was made to replicate conditions in Afghanistan to familiarize troops with what they will face on deployment.  

CAMP ATTERBURY, IN, UNITED STATES

08.28.2009

Story by Spc. Tegan Kucera 

205th Infantry Brigade, First Army, Division East

CAMP ATTERBURY, Ind., - Headquarters and Headquarters Company of Task Force Cyclone, 38th Infantry Division, recently deployed to Afghanistan after undergoing post-mobilization training at Camp Atterbury, Ind.

The 38th ID, headquartered at Indianapolis, Ind., a joint element made up of service members from Indiana and Kentucky. Their mission is to take command of base operations in four different Afghan provinces.

HHC will be commanding one of the largest bases in Afghanistan, and will also be commanding the Agribusiness Development Teams that are currently helping the Afghan people with their farming operations. They will be supporting the Soldiers stationed at the base and surrounding areas by providing different services.

In order to help the Afghan people with their farms, the ADTs will be teaching modern planting as well as crops and storage techniques, such as drip irrigation and root cellars that will lead to longer lasting profits.

In addition, they go beyond crops to help the farmers with the overall health and welfare of their livestock.

Some teams have implemented a program aimed at integrating women into the farming workforce as well. These teams have women's empowerment coordinators who help involve and educate the Afghan women in farming techniques.

The overall expectations of the ADTs are to help move the Afghan farmers away from illegal crops and methods, namely poppy farms that produce money to the Taliban, to crops that will have a positive impact on the communities and help improve the quality of life.

"It's a good mission," said Air Guard Lt. Col. Carney Jackson, Kentucky ADT large animal specialist. "We're trying to improve the overall status of the people there to get their farms up and running so that they can increase their productivity of food," said Jackson.

TF Cyclone is behind the scenes assisting each ADT in the four provinces they command.

However, the ADT is not the only mission that TF Cyclone will be commanding; they will also be in charge of one of the largest bases in Afghanistan.

In order to accomplish the task at hand, HHC Soldiers will need to draw upon their variety of different skill sets that may range from administrative specialist to security personnel, from legal to medical.

Some of the things that make HHC unique are the variety of military occupational specialties, ages and experiences.

Within TF Cyclone, about half of the Soldiers have been previously deployed. Another unique quality is the near even split between officers, non-commissioned officers and junior enlisted. All of this variety leaves plenty of opportunity for the junior enlisted to learn from their leaders during their mobilization training at Camp Atterbury and during their deployment overseas.

"I definitely learned a lot because I don't have a lot of experience," said Spc. Raven Holland, a paralegal who is on her first deployment with TF Cyclone. "I knew my paralegal job, but as far as convoy operations and stuff like that was concerned, I feel a lot more prepared than if I had gone without it."

Holland wants to make a difference for the people of Afghanistan while deployed there. Others feel the same way, like Staff Sgt. David Irving, the non-commissioned officer in charge of TF Cyclone medical operations.

"I think the more we put into the community, the sooner we can let them stand up on their own feet," said Irving.

This is Irving's second deployment to Afghanistan, and he is doing what he loves; working as a combat medic. He said there are a lot of situations in which his skills as a medic can help not only Soldiers, but the Afghan people.

Irving said he plans on attending the medical civil action programs that will not interfere with his regular work schedule. He also said he will be treating the Afghan people for their medical complaints in these MEDCAPs.

Irving is not alone in his excitement and motivation for this deployment, as others are undergoing similar thoughts.

Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Lucas, the senior non-commissioned officer for TF Cyclone, said the morale couldn't be better for the mission.

"The Soldiers have approached this mission with energy and a positive attitude that just blows me away," said Lucas. "It is exciting to see these Soldiers delve into each mission with the undying desire to do right; it's just awesome," Lucas added.

It may just be the beginning of the deployment, but Lucas sees good things for TF Cyclone.

"I am excited about this opportunity to take the headquarters of the 38th Infantry Division to war," said Lucas who volunteered for this deployment. "This is the first war-time deployment of the 38th Infantry Division Headquarters Company since World War II. This is history and I am so proud to be a part of it."

Although they have not deployed since WWII and the nature of war has changed throughout the last 65 years, the mission of the headquarters element is clear; to support the ground elements while deployed. The terrain, enemy and units are ever evolving, but with the experience, diversity and motivation displayed by HHC, they are motivated to meet the challenges of their deployment.

• Date Taken: 08.28.2009
• Date Posted: 08.28.2009 13:09
• Story ID: 38086
• Location: CAMP ATTERBURY, IN, US