Local Guardsmen activated

by Anna Means

In late February, Governor Dirk Kempthorne announced the entire brigade was put on alert, meaning they could be called into national service.

In May, there was a partial mobilization for about 750 Idaho members of the 116th Cavalry Brigade and 250 from Montana, Oregon and Utah.

Those mobilized at that time were to ensure leadership, logistical and information needs for mobilization of the entire brigade. With that in mind, those called specialized in support, intelligence and headquarters operations.

This latest mobilization of the largest unit of the Idaho National Guard affects 4,300 citizen soldiers from Idaho, Oregon, Utah, Montana, North Dakota, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Of those, 2,000 are Idahoans.

Local impact
Lt. Colonel Tim Marsano said four guardsmen from Custer County have been called out on this order. About 600 individuals from Eastern Idaho have been activated out of the 2,000 statewide.

Marsano said a privacy act prohibited him from revealing the names, but the Messenger was able to determine that at least eight individuals either living in or from the area are affected by the order.

Custer County Deputy Ryan Lloyd, BLM employee Tim Vaneck, miner Zach Palmer, plumber Richard Strickler, student Damon Burk, Mark Olsen of the National Resource Conservation Service and one of Carol Maxwell’s sons have been activated. Also on the list is veteran Scott Curtis, who will be serving his third tour in the 13 years he’s been in the military. Teacher Henry Roybal learned that because of his age, he won’t be deployed.

Lloyd turned in his gear to the county this week and assumed his title as Sergeant with the 1-148th Field Artillery Battalion. Staff Sergeant Tim Vanek also serves with that unit out of Pocatello.

Lloyd recently re-enlisted for three years after serving his first hitch of six years. Vanek said he’s been in the military since 1985. He did three years active duty, then served with Ohio, Montana and Arizona National Guard units before moving to Idaho.

Former Mackay resident Randall Tee, a recent graduate from Idaho State University law enforcement academy, will fill Lloyd’s shoes. Chief Deputy Stuart Lumpkin said while it’s difficult to find a temporary replacement, Tee will be able to receive POST certification by putting in a year in the field.

The Messenger was unable to make contact with the other individuals.

Their mission
The 116th Brigade’s primary wartime mission is to provide battlefield commanders with tanks, heavy artillery and personnel.

However, the brigade has recently focused on training for stability and support operations in places such as Iraq and Afghanistan. This flexibility makes the brigade capable of meeting a full spectrum of missions anywhere in the world.

Major General Jack Kane, Idaho adjutant general, wrote in a May 29 press release, “The citizen soldiers of the 116th Cavalry Brigade are ready to undertake this mission. They have been preparing for this mobilization and deployment to Iraq for months, and are now equipped, organized and prepared for the next level of training at Fort Bliss, Texas.

“I want to thank our soldiers, their families and their civilian employers for the outstanding support the brigade has received. Our fellow Idahoans can be assured the men and women of the 116th Cavalry Brigade will represent them well during this deployment.”

Kempthorne said in the same release this is the most extensive mobilization of Idaho’s National Guard for overseas military deployment in the state’s history.

Earlier this year when the brigade was put on alert status, he said every Idahoan would feel the impact since guardsmen were an assortment of small business owners, police officers, firefighters, paramedics and government workers.

Kempthorne wrote in last week’s press release, “They know they will be doing historic work in a place that desperately needs their help. It’s possible these men and women could be away from home for up to two years.

“I hope every Idahoan will join me in applauding these fine soldiers for their dedication and service to our country. Many others—family members, employers and others—are also making significant sacrifices in the face of this mobilization. I call upon all citizens to support their fellow Idahoans as we adjust to the deployment of these brave soldiers. We all have our duty to support one another.”

Brigade members start training in Fort Bliss, Texas. Those from armories in Boise, Caldwell and Nampa mustered on June 7 and went to Fort Bliss June 10. Others will report for duty June 28 and ship out to Texas July 1.

After that, they will undergo a mission readiness exercise at the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, Louisiana before deploying overseas. The plan was to embark on the mission this fall and stay one year in country, so total mobilization is expected to last approximately 18 months.

History
The National Guard was first organized in 1636 under order of the General Court of the Massachusetts Bay colony. The order, fashioned after the English militia system, required all males 16 to 60 to own arms and defend the community. The first order called for the North, South and East Regiments.

These colonial militiamen drilled once a week and stood guard each evening to sound an alarm in case of attack from the Pequot Indians.

Today, the Army National Guard exists in all 50 states, three territories and the District of Columbia. During peacetime, the governors of respective states or territories are the Commanders in Chief and have the ability, under the U.S. Constitution, to call up members of the National Guard in time of domestic emergencies or need.

Central Idaho saw this illustrated during the 2000 fire season.

During national emergencies, the President reserves the right to mobilize the National Guard, putting them in federal duty status. While federalized, the units answer to the combatant commander of the theater in which they are operating and ultimately, to the President.

The Army National Guard is a partner with the active Army and the Army Reserves in fulfilling the country’s military needs. In recent years, Army Guard soldiers have served in more than 80 countries in a wide variety of operations including peacekeeping, stabilization, security and nation building. More than 98,000 Air or Army National Guardsmen are currently serving in this capacity around the world.