Alaska Army National Guardsmen play pivotal role in Afghanistan

  • Published
  • By Air Force Maj. Guy Hayes
  • Alaska National Guard PAO
AFGHANISTAN --  Alaska Army National Guardsmen from B Company, 1st Battalion (Airborne), 143rd Infantry Regiment are settling in to their roles as Security Forces for Provincial Reconstruction Teams in Afghanistan.

More than 126 Soldiers departed Camp Atterbury, Ind., in late February after finalizing their pre-deployment training, and according to their commander, Capt. Jason Caldwell, they are proudly representing the Alaska Army National Guard.

"B Company Soldiers are rising to the challenge of each location and are completing their unique mission in a professional manner," Caldwell said. "As I talk to them and their Provincial Reconstruction Team commanders, I hear nothing but praise for their professionalism and ability to adapt. We have outstanding Soldiers here."

With units split between multiple forward operating locations, the Alaska Guardsmen are now conducting daily missions to assist the PRTs in potentially dangerous areas to rebuild infrastructure, assist with agriculture, build wells and provide healthcare.

"We range out into the rural areas of the provinces, completing mounted and dismounted missions," Caldwell said. "Most days we complete multiple convoys to multiple areas."

With a heavy operation tempo expected to continue throughout the deployment, Soldiers are extremely busy, but on deployment, busy is good, Caldwell said.

"The first sergeant is keeping everyone in line and morale is high," Caldwell said. "I assure you that our Alaska Soldiers continue to put their best foot forward and represent Alaska in the best manner possible."

The deployed Guardsmen hail from Anchorage, Bethel, Chevak, Delta Junction, Dillingham, Eagle River, Ekwok, Emmonak, Fairbanks, Fort Greely, Hooper Bay, Houston, Juneau, Kipnuk, Kodiak, Kongiganak, Kwethluk, Little Diomede, Marshal, Nikkiski, Nome, North Pole, Palmer, Port Graham, Quinaag, Scammon Bay, Shishmaref, Sitka, Tuluksa, Upper Kalskag, Valdez, Wasilla and Wrangell. They are expected to return to Alaska in November 2012.