Two Guard units are final mobilization of 2015 at Bliss

Photo By Ismael Ortega | Soldiers walk to the aircraft taking them to Guantanamo Naval Base, Cuba, from the Silas L. Copeland Arrival/Departure Air Control Group here Dec. 31, 2015.  

FORT BLISS, TX, UNITED STATES

12.31.2015

Story by Ismael Ortega 

Mobilization and Deployment, DPTMS Fort Bliss

FORT BLISS, Texas - As 2015 came to a close, Soldiers assigned to the 38th Infantry Division, Headquarters Company, Indiana Army National Guard, and the 105th Military Police Battalion (Forward), North Carolina Army National Guard, boarded the final flight departing the Silas L. Copeland Arrival/Departure Air Control Group here Dec. 31, 2015. Both units will serve as headquarters elements for areas of operations at Guantanamo Naval Base, Cuba.

Hoosiers and Tarheels alike will fill a number of staff functions from administration to information management as well as provide command and control capabilities throughout detention camps while stationed overseas.

With the majority of the Soldiers of the 38th ID and 105th MP Battalion (FWD) deploying for the first time, this rotation to GITMO is a first. Even some of the seasoned Soldiers will multiple deployment have never been there.

“I think we’re all prepared and trained for our mission,” said Sgt. Maj. John Plasse, advance party sergeant major, 38th ID. “We just need to do it and make Indiana proud.”

Both units completed annual and pre-mobilization training in their respective states, taking care of individual training, weapons qualification and online courses prior to arriving here where they used the 30-day training cycle to recreate command and control tasks.

“We did a number of individual skill training plus a mission readiness exercise where we exercised the roles we would be filling at Guantanamo,” Maj. Leroy Brown, joint staff, current operations, 38th ID, said.

Lt. Col. James Sasser, executive officer, 105th MP Battalion (FWD), said the training was an eye-opening experience and helped build the Soldiers’ confidence as well as prepare them to work in a tactical operation center.

“(The training) was really good for the (Soldiers) because they got to see from the beginning all the way to the end how a TOC operates,” Sasser said.

“Time here has been invaluable in building that unit cohesion and bringing everyone together,” said Command Sgt. Maj James Hubble, command sergeant major, 105th MP Battalion (FWD). “These 30 days have been money in the bank for us as far as training and building a better team.”

With the opportunity for personal and professional development, many Soldiers have taken advantage by enrolling in college courses before departing the states. Soldiers also have the option to complete noncommissioned officer development schools online. Others will use their off time to get in better physical shape and many are looking forward to the volunteer opportunities at GITMO.

Sgt. Dawn Bordenet, joint staff, logistics purchasing agent, 38th ID, will use the deployment to expand her expertise in logistics. Bordenet hopes what she learns will transfer over to her federal technician civilian job.

Ready to start 2016 aboard, many Soldiers are prepared for the mission because of their rigorous training they completed in 2015.

“I’ve got a fantastic unit,” said Staff Sgt. Joshua Edwards, information management noncommissioned officer in charge, 105th MP Battalion (FWD). “I’m very grateful (to) go on this mission and be with the people I am deploying with.”

• Date Taken: 12.31.2015
• Date Posted: 01.21.2016 12:45
• Story ID: 186737
• Location: FORT BLISS, TX, US