National Guard announces details of Afghanistan deployment

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(Host) Fifteen-hundred members of the Vermont Army Guard will go to Afghanistan early next year.  It will be the largest deployment of Vermont Guard members since World War II.

The deployment had been anticipated since last year, but this week the Guard has begun notifying individuals who are scheduled to ship out. 

Thursday the Guard released further details about the deployment.  

VPR’s Steve Zind reports.

(Zind) As if to underscore the historic size of the deployment, Vermont Adjutant General Michael Dubie compares this order to deploy with a request from President Lincoln for troops to fight in the Civil War.  Dubie says just as in 1861, Vermonters are ready to serve.  

(Dubie) "I’m here to report that Vermont will do its full duty."

(Zind) Dubie says the 1,500 Vermonters will ship out to Afghanistan at the end of February.  In all, they’ll be overseas for nine to ten months, scheduled to return home before the end of next year. 

Dubie says the Vermonters will train Afghan security forces. It’s not a combat mission but there are still dangers.

(Dubie) "All missions are not without risk, but the majority of our people will be in an advisory role.  That’s the best way to put it."

(Zind) Dubie says just over 50 percent of those scheduled to go to Afghanistan have been deployed before – many to Iraq.  The Vermonters will be part of a larger group of 10,000 soldiers from 17 countries.   That entire task force will be under the command of Colonel Will Roy of the Vermont Guard. 

Dubie says the Guard has received an unprecedented amount of resources in preparation for the deployment, reflecting the increasing role that the Guard is playing in overseas military operations in recent years.

Dubie says he’s pleased the Vermont Guard is playing a part in the effort to train Afghan forces to help them bring the rule of law and human rights to their country. 

(Dubie) "I have three daughters.  The idea that we could bring some type of progress to Afghanistan where a young woman in Afghanistan can do anything she wants in the whole world.  That’s pretty lofty stuff.  And that’s what our soldiers will be doing. They’ll be making a troubled place in the world better."

(Zind)  Dubie says there will also be another deployment of Vermont Guard members to Iraq next year.  That will likely involve fewer than 100 soldiers.

He says despite the deployments, 1,200 army and 1,000 Air National Guard members will remain in Vermont to respond to emergencies here.

For VPR News, I’m Steve Zind.

 

 

 

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