Louisiana National Guard committed to six years in Iraq

[Ian David]

Over 400 Louisiana Guard Soldiers Re-enlist (In Iraq)
By U.S. Army Spc. Erin Robicheaux
256th Brigade Combat Team Public

CAMP TIGERLAND, Iraq, July 27, 2005 — On July 20, in a chapel in Baghdad, voices rang out together, not in a song of praise, but in commitment. More than 400 National Guard soldiers of the 256th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division raised their right hands and swore to “support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America.”

More significant than the number of soldiers who simultaneously extended their service to the military is that these National Guard soldiers did so in a combat zone.

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Since the beginning of the deployment, 925 soldiers promised service to their states and nation, with 761 hailing from Louisiana, 120 from New York, and 43 from various other states and territories attached to the 256th Brigade Combat Team, such as Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Carolina, Washington and Puerto Rico.

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He said the largest concern among the soldiers was whether or not the unit would deploy again. According to the plan set forth by the National Guard Bureau, the units should not come back to Iraq any sooner than six years from now.

More:
http://www.la.ngb.army.mil/Web%20Stories/Over%20400%20Louisiana%20Guard%20Soldiers%20Re-enlist%20-%20DefendAmerica%20News%20Article.htm


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January 09. 2005 2:21PM

Slain Louisiana soldiers died on a mission to suppress Iraqi insurgent rocket attacks

By DOUG SIMPSON
Associated Press Writer


NEW ORLEANS - The six Louisiana soldiers who died in Iraq last week were killed by a "massive explosion" probably set off by insurgents using a remote electronic detonator, their commander said Sunday.

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It's a very important mission and this unit was doing it very well," Basilica said.

Killed in the blast were Spc. Bradley Bergeron, Sgt. Christopher Babin, 27,and Pfc. Armand Frickey, 21, all of Houma; and Spc. Warren Murphy of Marrero, Spc. Huey Fassbender III of LaPlace and Sgt. 1st Class Kurt Comeaux of Raceland. A soldier from New York was also killed.

Basilica's comments provided the first details of the killings since Thursday's explosion. Basilica spoke from Iraq, in a teleconference with reporters at Louisiana National Guard headquarters in New Orleans.
The seven soldiers' mission was part of the continuing effort to prevent the rebels from launching rocket attacks. The brigade uses radar to pinpoint the spot where each such launch takes place; soldiers then track the pattern and history of where launches originate, Basilica said.

More:
http://www.pigstye.net/iraq/article.php/20050110043408615

[Bluebear]

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