Families gather to say goodbye to Muleskinners

Photo By Sachel Harris | More than 100 U.S. Army Alaska Soldiers bid farewell to their family, friends and fellow Soldiers during the 109th Transportation Company's deployment ceremony March 10, 2016, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. The unit is deploying to Kuwait for the first time since the 1990s. (U.S. Army Alaska/Sachel Harris)  

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, ALASKA, UNITED STATES

03.11.2016

Story by Sachel Harris 

United States Army Alaska

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, ALASKA - As rays of sun shine through the windows of the National Guard Armory, Danicka Gilmore holds her son, looking at her husband with pride as she prepares to say goodbye for nine months.

“This is our first deployment and I’m definitely nervous,” she says.

Capt. Cameron Gilmore, support and operations officer for the 109th Transportation Company, will be deploying with more than 100 U.S. Army Alaska Soldiers to Kuwait for nine months. While there, the company will support the transportation needs of the U.S. and allied forces there with heavy equipment transportation systems, also known as HETs and tractor trucks. These vehicles are primarily used to rapidly and efficiently transport bulk supplies and other heavy vehicles.

“It’s very nerve-wrecking,” says Gilmore. “But it’s also very exciting because we get to do our job, accomplish the mission and support the troops over there.”

Though the unit has deployed five times since 2003, this is the first time the unit will deploy to Kuwait since the early 1990s.

While he will be away from his wife and son, who is about to celebrate his first birthday, the captain knows his family will be okay.

“We have a great Family Readiness Group here, and I know they will be very well taken care of,” he says.

As other families, friends and fellow Soldiers fill the seats to bid farewell to her husband and the other Soldiers, Mrs. Gilmore admits that while she’s ready for the deployment to be over, she’s looking forward to keeping busy.

“I’m excited to see more of Alaska and immerse myself into the community,” Mrs. Gilmore says. “I look forward to getting involved with the FRG and meeting and supporting other spouses.”

The 109th TC, also known as the Mukeskinners, is a part of the 17th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion and headquartered at JBER.

• Date Taken: 03.11.2016
• Date Posted: 03.15.2016 12:00
• Story ID: 192419
• Location: JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, ALASKA, US