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    Old Hickory mobilizes for Kosovo

    Old Hickory mobilizes for Kosovo

    Photo By Sgt. Lisa Vines | Over 300 North Carolina Army National Guard soldiers from Headquarters Company 30th...... read more read more

    RALEIGH, NC, UNITED STATES

    05.04.2015

    Story by Spc. Lisa Vines  

    382nd Public Affairs Detachment

    RALEIGH, N.C. -- The air was thick with both excited and nervous chatter as hundreds gathered here, April 30, 2015, at the Providence Baptist Church to commemorate the mobilization of over 300 North Carolina Army National Guard service members of Headquarters Company 30th Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 252nd Armored Regiment and Alpha Company, 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 252nd Armored Regiment.

    The soldiers are deploying in support of Kosovo Force, a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) security resolution that leads an international peacekeeping force in Kosovo. They will stop at Fort Bliss in Texas and Germany for training before arriving in Kosovo.

    The 30th Armored Brigade Combat Team’s, commonly known as “Old Hickory,” is comprised of units from all over North Carolina and West Virginia. This is Old Hickory’s third mobilization since 9/11. The 30th previously deployed twice in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, in 2005 and 2009.

    “We are going as part of the NATO force as part of a UN security resolution. We are there to assist the Kosovars by providing a safe and secure environment and freedom of maneuver as they work toward more independence as a foreign independent nation,” said Lt. Col. John C. Kennedy, the brigade executive officer and Harrisburg, North Carolina, native.

    Kosovo Force operations have been in place since 1999 as a combination of National Guard and active Army units, as well as many other NATO-affiliated nations, according to Kennedy.

    Commander to the 30th ABCT, Col. Vernon Simpson, provided both light-hearted and serious comments to the soldiers and their families during the ceremony.

    “Our mission to Kosovo is to provide a safe and secure environment to protect the United States’ vital interests in the Baltics. Our vital interests are primarily the prevention of foreign influence and violent extremism in the region.”

    Morale remained high as soldiers hugged their loved ones goodbye. Although this is a year-long deployment, families are prepared to keep their lives moving forward. According to Kennedy, the units have been working with Yellow Ribbon programs to make sure families are prepared for the duration that the soldier will be away from home. These programs offer family activities as well as financial advice.

    It is not just the soldiers’ families who will miss them. Most National Guard soldiers have civilian jobs that they must leave behind. For a small business, just a single soldier deploying can result in a huge reduction in its workforce. Though the loss of a citizen-soldier can be difficult, employers are proud that their employees have the opportunity to utilize their civilian skills in the military.

    “The National Guard is definitely unique in that we have civilian skill sets that we bring with us along with our military training and so we can look for opportunities to utilize those civilian skill sets to assist in completing our mission,” said Kennedy.

    Several North Carolina officials were present at the ceremony, including the secretary of the North Carolina Department of Public Safety, Frank Perry and North Carolina House Representatives Gary Pendleton and Grier Martin.

    Although United States Senator Tom Tillis was unable to attend, he wrote a letter that was read to the soldiers stating, “Some people live an entire lifetime and wonder if they made a difference in the world. Soldiers don’t have that problem.”

    The North Carolina National Guard’s Assistant Adjutant Gen. James Ernst also spoke to the soldiers and their families about this mission.

    Ernst emphasized, “The strength of our nation is our Army. The strength of our Army is our soldiers. The strength of the soldier is the family.”

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 05.04.2015
    Date Posted: 05.04.2015 16:30
    Story ID: 162186
    Location: RALEIGH, NC, US
    Hometown: HARRISBURG, NC, US

    Web Views: 524
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN