Photo By 94th Airlift Wing | Capt. Robin A. Eskelson an 18th Military Police Brigade soldier bids her dogs goodbye...... read more read more
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SEMBACH, Germany – Soldiers wheeled multicam duffle bags through the rainy mid-morning while wives, children and dogs stood by watching the soldiers board buses bound for their flight to Afghanistan, June 9.
Soldiers of the 18th Military Police “Ever Vigilant” Brigade, 21st Theater Sustainment Command, departed Sembach Kaserne in Germany on their way to start a nine-month mission in Afghanistan.
Many family members were new to the soldier’s emotionally charged departure while others participated for the third or fourth time.
“I’m not worried,” said Calista Laws, editor of the Family Readiness Group newsletter and wife of Master Sgt. Chad Laws, 18th MP Bde. operations noncommissioned officer in charge and native of Blanding, Utah.
“I know they’re in good hands. My only concern is for the young wives where this is their first deployment,” added Laws who has supported her husband during four deployments.
There were also soldiers among the ranks of the 18th MPs who were deploying for the first time.
Among the first time deployers is Spc. Brittani Dasilva, 18th MP Bde. intelligence analyst and native of Monona, Iowa.
“This is my first deployment so I’m really excited to get the experience working with the Afghans,” Dasilva said.
Spc. Sherwyne E. Catacutan, signal support system specialist and native of Guam is also deploying for the first time.
“I’m very excited to deploy,” Catacutan said.
“I’m going with a unit that is very well prepared,” he added.
“We’ve been training a long time for this.”
Also deploying is Sgt. 1st Class Mallory Niese Morrow, 18th MP Bde. operations NCO and native of Findlay, Ohio.
“I have the utmost confidence in this unit, that we have been well trained and that we are ready for this mission,” she said.
Many repeat deployers shared the confidence and optimism of those deploying for the first time.
Sgt. Anthony R. Taylor, physical security detail NCOIC and native of Buda, Texas, is deploying for the second time.
“I feel very confident about this deployment,” said Taylor. “I’m happy I get to go again and get back out there.”
“We are absolutely prepared and ready to go. We will have a great mission,” Laws said.
Brig. Gen. Paul M. Benenati, deputy commanding general of the 21st TSC, was in attendance to provide words of encouragement to the 18th MP Bde. soldiers before their flight.
“You are a highly motivated group and I was very, very impressed at how you worked together,” Benenati said.
Benenati further complimented teamwork the unit displayed by saying, “That’s the way you are going to have to work and stick together during the time that you’re downrange.”
For more on the 18th MP Bde., visit their webpage at http://www.eur.army.mil/21TSC/18MP/Sets/18thmpbde.html or their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/#!/18thMPBrigade?fref=ts.
| Date Taken: | 06.11.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 06.13.2013 09:21 |
| Story ID: | 108592 |
| Location: | SEMBACH, RP, DE |
| Hometown: | GUAM, GU |
| Hometown: | BLANDING, UT, US |
| Hometown: | BUDA, TX, US |
| Hometown: | FINDLAY, OH, US |
| Web Views: | 635 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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