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Local guard troops to be mobilized

Tuesday, July 14, 2009
From staff and Associated Press reports

Maj. Gen. Gus L. Hargett Jr., Tennessee's adjutant general, announced Monday that Tennessee's largest National Guard unit, the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment, headquartered in Knoxville, has received mobilization orders effective later this year -- but the exact date and location have not been announced.

The National Guard troops based in Shelbyville are part of the 278th.

The unit has been on alert for a possible deployment since last year when the military said the Knoxville-based unit was one of four National Guard units that could deploy to Iraq.

Last month, the military completed a withdrawal of combat forces from Iraqi cities to outlying bases while more troops have been sent to Afghanistan.

The regiment is composed of more than 3,000 soldiers from across the state.

Guard officials have said the unit won't deploy until the 2010 federal fiscal year, which starts in October.

"The world situation is constantly changing after seven years of deployments, and the current situation will determine how and where the regiment is utilized as part of the Global War on Terror." said Brig. Gen. Max Haston, assistant adjutant general, Army, in a news release.

Col. Jeffrey Holmes, who commands the 278th, said, "The regiment has anticipated the order and conducted individual and collective training for the deployment over the past six months. Our soldiers and families are prepared, and we're ready to get it started. We began this process three years ago and it will be gratifying to have the opportunity to finish the job."

The 278th last deployed in June 2004 during which the unit trained Iraqi security forces and assisted with provincial elections and the National Constitutional Referendum. The regiment will mobilize through Camp Shelby, Miss., for an unspecified period of time before deploying to their final locations.

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Hopefully they will muster well, and take it upon themselves to take our current tyrannical federal government down. Opps, sorry what must I have been thinking?

I wish these men and women well and God speed in their mission.

-- Posted by Brett Favre on Mon, Jul 13, 2009, at 11:03 PM

So much for Obama's promise to bring our men and women home. Just like the "no taxes on the middle class" promise.

-- Posted by sameoldstory on Tue, Jul 14, 2009, at 3:46 AM

Obama don't do promises. Obama speak with forked tounge.

-- Posted by Fishingsaintsfan on Tue, Jul 14, 2009, at 7:34 AM

Exactly sameoldstory!

-- Posted by jaxspike on Tue, Jul 14, 2009, at 7:39 AM

I was a guard wife. Unless you've been there when the call comes in, you cannot imagine how much your life will be turned up-side down. Thankfully the communication is much better now than during Desert Storm. It was almost like being totally alienated from your loved one. I want to encourage the wives, parents and children these soldiers leave behind. Even though your life is in disarray, whenever you get to feeling down or sorry for yourself, just remember you are still in familiar surroundings and surrounded by people who love and support you. The soldier is isolated from family, friends, and anything vaguely familiar to home and their safety is at risk. Wives and mothers, your children are already missing their father, so don't get too wrapped up in your own misery, that they lose their mother too. They need a sense of normalcy and routine to keep their minds busy. Above, all find a family support group and attend meetings. It is very helpful to listen to what others in similar circumstances are going through. I realized through these meetings that my circumstances were so much better than some of the others and that things could be worse. Above all, remember that it is God who controls all our lives and holds all things together. He is ables to guard, protect and preserve no matter what comes our way. God bless you all!

-- Posted by writeattitude on Tue, Jul 14, 2009, at 9:04 AM

I'm sure these soldiers are headed for Afghanistan. While we are winding down operations in Iraq, we are finally prosecuting the war in Afghanistan as it should have been in the first place. Expect more of this. The force size in Afghanistan will have doubled by the end of the year. It will probably enlarge again next year as we take and hold more ground in the south.

I give the President a pass on this. Afghanistan is where the fight is. We've neglected this front too long and allowed the Taliban to regroup and terrorize the small international force and the locals. It's time to put an end to it with overwhelming force. We have to make sure this is not a fair fight.

As far as the taxes, yeah, that was completely bogus. Anyone who can add and subtract knew that going in.

-- Posted by Tim Baker on Tue, Jul 14, 2009, at 9:23 AM

Good Luck and Best Wishes to all the National Guard men & women from the Tennessee Units. God Bless all of YOU.

-- Posted by tndrifter on Tue, Jul 14, 2009, at 1:20 PM

Best wishes and many prayers for these men & women. I wish none of you ever had to go, but I know you all are doing what you were called to do.

BOOYA

-- Posted by ZULUDAWN on Tue, Jul 14, 2009, at 2:38 PM

I know this, I love and honor the Men and Women who fight for this country. They are the best any nation has to offer. I do agree that the fight needs to be fought in Afganistan, but I rufuse to give this President a pass on anything. I feel bad for our brave soldiers knowing that their commander in chief is Obama.I would give anything for another Ronald Reagan right now.

-- Posted by Fishingsaintsfan on Tue, Jul 14, 2009, at 6:54 PM

No country has EVER EVER EVER taken control of Afghanistan. Alexander the Great could not, the Roman Empire could not, and the Russians could not. This is crazy; does anyone study history anymore?

Please do not send our troops into this region. This will end badly for our men and women.

We are talking about a culture that has no respect for life, other than dying for Allah.

We should be more concerned about how are federal government is becoming the tyrannical government that our forefathers attempted to get away from.

Please, Please, Please wake up; for the sake of our country..............

-- Posted by Brett Favre on Tue, Jul 14, 2009, at 11:20 PM

We are talking about a culture that has no respect for life, other than dying for Allah.

-- Posted by Brett Favre on Tue, Jul 14, 2009, at 11:20 PM

Well then I suggest that our troops help all of the enemies of our troops to accomplish their goal of dying for Allah.

William

-- Posted by HorseGentler on Wed, Jul 15, 2009, at 6:09 AM