Soldiers prepare to deploy

FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. (AP) — The last of three infantry brigades from the 101st Airborne Division are preparing to leave Fort Campbell this week to head to Iraq.
In a ceremony Tuesday, members of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team cased their unit colors in preparation for their deployment. The 1st and 3rd Brigades are already training in Kuwait.
“Today, once again, we stand ready,” said Col. William Hickman, brigade commander. “We are trained, mentally and physically prepared, and I have full confidence in you and your leadership’s ability to get the tasks done that lie ahead.”
Lt. Col. Bill Crawling, commander of the 526th Support Battalion within the brigade, said his unit was fortunate to return from the last two rotations with no fatalities, although some soldiers were injured.
The battalion, based in South Baghdad, made more than 700 food, water, ammunition and medical supply deliveries in extreme hostile conditions, he said.
Nearly 7,000 soldiers have already deployed, with more than 10,000 expected to take over units already there.
After the first of the year, about 5,000 division soldiers will deploy to Afghanistan.
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Information from: The Leaf-Chronicle, www.theleafchronicle.com
Published in The Messenger on 10.11.07

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