Arrowhead Soldiers make history, prepare to deploy

Photo By Lt. Col. Randall Stillinger | A detachment of Texas Army National Guard Soldiers from the 36th Infantry Division, led by Brig. Gen. S. Lee Henry, officially formed Task Force Arrowhead in a pre-deployment ceremony at Fort Hood, Texas, on May 31, 2016. Approximately 50 Guardsmen will be taking over the Train, Advise and Assist Command in southern Afghanistan in support of Operation Freedom's Sentinel. Their mission is to advise Afghan National Defense and Security Forces to promote the long-term success and the sovereignty of the Afghan government. They will be the first National Guard unit to take over regional command in Afghanistan since Sept. 11, 2001. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Randall Stillinger, 36th Infantry Division Public Affairs)  

FORT HOOD, TX, UNITED STATES

05.31.2016

Story by Spc. Christina Clardy and Maj. Randall Stillinger

36th Infantry Division (TXARNG)

Soldiers of the 36th Infantry Division, their families and friends gathered for a ceremony at Cameron Field on Fort Hood, Texas, on May 31, to send off “Task Force Arrowhead” as they deploy to Afghanistan in support of Operation Freedom's Sentinel.

The detachment of over 50 experienced and specialized officers, warrant officers and senior enlisted members, will be the first National Guard unit to take over an Afghanistan regional command within a combat environment since Sept. 11, 2001, and will be overseas for about nine months.

"Approximately 75 percent of the team deploying into the country has been part of either an agricultural development team in Afghanistan or they have been part of a security force advisement team," said Brig. Gen. S. Lee Henry, the commander of the deploying task force. "They have an awareness of the culture in Afghanistan to give them a good foundation going in."

In 2014, the regional commands transitioned to a Train, Advise and Assist Command (TAAC) structure, advising Afghan National Defense and Security Forces to promote the long-term success of these institutions and the sovereignty of the Afghan government. Two-thirds of the Soldiers will be deploying to Afghanistan; the rest of the servicemembers will mobilize but remain stateside. They will serve as an intelligence reach-back group, which is made possible by the advances in today's modern combat technology and communications systems.

"Today's deployment ceremony is for two groups: we appreciate the distinguished visitors here to really help set the foundation for recognition of Task Force Arrowhead," said Henry. "But it's really for the families because they are a big piece of this. The heroes of these deployments are our families. When you mobilize the National Guard, you are really mobilizing communities."

Major Benjamin Hart, an operations officer for the mission who also serves as a peace officer for the Austin Police Department, said goodbye to his wife and three young children, ages three, six and seven. The oldest will turn eight next week, just one of many birthdays he will miss during his tour.

"I took a lot of time off of work to make sure my kids know I love them, and to give them as much undivided attention as I can," said Hart. "The hardest part will be missing the things that are important for a father to be there for. My little girl is starting a new school, my middle child is starting kindergarten and my youngest is at the age where he has never been away from daddy at all."

This is Hart’s third overseas deployment, so he and his wife know that communication is important to help ease the transition for their children.

"I have heard that there are a few wifi or civilian internet access points in certain places, and technology has changed so much, so (using video chat messaging) they can see dad," Hart said. "I think that seeing me, knowing me, remembering and hearing my voice all together is going to be huge in communicating, and filling that gap."

Hart is thankful for his strong bonds with family, friends and his law enforcement partners, who have all offered continued support to his family during his absence.

At the farewell ceremony surrounded by family and friends, the Commander of the 36th Infantry Division, Maj. Gen. Lester Simpson, addressed Henry directly saying, this has been a team effort and there are a lot of folks who have helped us get to this point. "I have the utmost confidence in you and your team."

Major General John F. Nichols, the Adjutant General of Texas, gave the departing Soldiers and their families one final piece of advice:

"To the friends and families, especially the families, while your Soldier serves - you serve. With you here taking care of the homefront, our Soldiers can go forward and defend America abroad, be it in Texas, Afghanistan or Iraq," said Nichols. "To the Soldiers of Task Force Arrowhead I tell you this: be Texas smart, be Texas proud and be Texas strong."

While this unit is deploying overseas, the 36th Infantry Division remains capable of responding to domestic emergencies, national and overseas combat operations, and joint partnerships with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to include disaster relief and response, emergency preparedness, counterdrug efforts, reconstruction missions and security assistance on some aspects of border security.

• Date Taken: 05.31.2016
• Date Posted: 06.10.2016 14:28
• Story ID: 200666
• Location: FORT HOOD, TX, US