GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – Nearly 400 soldiers with the Appleton-based Second Battalion, 127th Infantry will be deployed to Afghanistan.
A send-off ceremony was held Thursday morning at the Lambeau Field Atrium.
“They’re deploying to Afghanistan as a security element where they will be providing security for coalition forces that are operating in the region,” explains Capt. Joe Trovato.
The forces working in that region have a NATO-led mission called ‘Resolute Support’. They train, advise and assist Afghan security forces.
The Wisconsin National Guard says the soldiers are from the 2nd Battalion, 127th Infantry. Besides its Appleton headquarters, it also has companies based in Clintonville, Green Bay, Fond du Lac, Marinette, Ripon, and Waupun.
For around eighty-percent of the soldiers, it’s their first deployment.
That includes Staff Sgt. Zachary Atrdrich who had mixed feelings before his first deployment.
“I’m pretty excited, [but] a little apprehensive,” he explains. “I mean it’s all unknown from here.”
The Lambeau Field Atrium was packed with thousands of well-wishers Thursday morning and that showing of support is important, especially for the soldiers facing their first deployment, according to Command Sgt. John Dietzler.
“We’ve got a lot of newer soldiers deploying for their first time and the support that we had here today [between] the families and the locals, it’s an awesome turnout,” he says.
The National Guard says the soldiers will leave sometime in winter and will undergo pre-mobilization training in the U.S.
“Following this they’re going to be going to more training, three months of training, in warmer climates thank goodness,” says Command Sgt. John Dietzler.
The pre-mobilization training will take place between Texas and Louisiana before the soldiers head overseas for around a year deployment in Afghanistan.
“Typical deployment cycle now is about a year, but that’s mission dependent and it can change, again, depending on variables hidden in theater,” Travato explains.
This will be the first deployment to Afghanistan for the 127th Infantry. Its soldiers previously served in Iraq in 2005-06 and 2009-10.
Staff Sgt. Atrdrich, originally raised in Madison but now residing in Iowa City, is proud to do his part in the effort.
“I volunteered for this deployment as a backfill to help fill out the numbers,” he explains. “And I’m just excited to be a part of this deployment.”
