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Light Fighters Trained and Dangerous, Ready to Deploy Story by Staff Sgt. Steve Petibone Photos by Spc. Dennis Gravelle Guard Times Staff
FORT DRUM
C
apping off four months of intense infantry training through widely varying temperatures and weather conditions, the 2n d Battalion, 108t h Infantry Regiment, 27t hSeparate Infantry Brigade (Light) is now trained to deploy to the nation's second front in the Global War on Terror in Iraq. This is the first combat-oriented deployment for this 27t h Brigade unit since World War II. In March of 1942, the 27t h Infantry Division (as it was called then) trained up at Fort
To sustain the realism, a military morgue was set up inside the bivouac area. Once a soldier became a casualty, the entire process was implemented right down to zipping the “body-bag”. The final scenario ended in what resembled a western “show-down”. Shots rang out from sniper fire, the streets were quickly abandoned by the civilians and the 108t h soldiers assembled atop a central building where they could scan the entire MOUT site from a single rooftop until back ups arrived. Training at the JRTC is intended to stretch every soldier to their maximum limit and then push just a little further to see how they react under the pressure. “As our soldiers get better, the scenarios get tougher, this is the training we need in order to succeed in Iraq.” Stated Deeley. After JRTC, the 108t h returned to Fort Drum for more weapons qualification and some time off to spend with their families before leaving for Iraq in February. The battalion is expected to serve overseas for about one year.
Following Senator Little, New York’s Adjutant General, Thomas P. Maquire, Jr.’s theme was compassionate and family oriented. He implored each soldier to not only take care of his or her family before they leave, but to also to treat each other as family while deployed. Concluding the send-off speeches, Lt. Col. Mark Warnecke, battalion commander, informed the audience of the colossal list of combat and non-combat taskings that the 108t h accomplished. “The Battalion did not meet the Army standard, we set the standard.” he said to thunderous applause.
McClellan, Ala. before deploying to the Hawaiian Islands One of the taskings that will have a direct effect on the and eventually to the Battle of Saipan. 108t h is a moderate transition from their light infantry More than 700 soldiers dressed in Desert Camouflage moniker to a more mechanized infantry situation using Uniforms (DCU’s) were the center of attention for family, Humvees. friends and visiting dignitaries in the standing-room-only crowd at Fort Drum’s Magrath Sports Complex. The dignitaries included New York State Senator Betty Little (45th District) and Mr. Bill Howard, First Deputy Secretary to Governor George Pataki. The high point of the ceremony occurred when 11 Guardsmen were sworn in as United States citizens. Mr. Howard introduced each Soldier by name and what country he was from. He concluded by thanking each soldier for accepting their citizenship as both New York and United States citizens. Ms. Fran Holmes from Immigration Services administers the oath of citizenship to 11 Senator Little admonished the members of the 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry during the unit's departure ceremony at Fort soldiers to go forward, complete Drum. In top photo, Maj. Gen. Thomas P. Magure, Jr., The Adjutant General, conveys his their mission and return safely. well-wishes to Soldiers. Nearly 700 Soldiers from the battalion are now serving in Iraq.