Local Soldiers Being Deployed To Iraq
The combat role of the U.S. military may be over in Iraq, but their role in the rebuilding of that country continues.
Tuesday morning, 22 Michigan soldiers shipped out from the U.S. Army Reserve Center in Southfield for their first deployment in Iraq. Their mission will be part of the transitional phase, a small military presence in support of a larger state department rebuilding effort.
Lt. Colonel Elizabeth Medina says watching these young soldiers develop is what motivates her. "You look into their faces, they are young kids ready to go but they have really ramped up in the last 13 months through a series of phenomenal training opportunities," Lt. Medina said.
These soldiers, part of the 414th Civil Affairs battalion will be deployed in Iraq for the better part of the year, helping the country reconstitute their government and rebuild infrastructure, among other duties under the guidance of the State Department.
Specialist Timothy Hartley of Howell among those young soldiers in Iraq for his first time. "I'm not entirely sure what to expect, but I'm excited to be somewhere else in the world helping people out," he said.
For his father Craig Hartley it's a roller coaster ride. "He's here, then he's gone, it's kind of emotional," the elder Hartley said.
Timothy's mother Maureen Hartley could not be prouder. "I'm excited for him," she said. "I know that he's going to be learning a lot, doing a lot...there's a lot of opportunities."
The soldiers will split up into seven different teams that will serve throughout the country for the better part of a year.
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