It’s been more than four months since the soldiers of the 960th Brigade Support Battalion deployed to Kuwait and, so far, the mission has been deemed a success.

Soldiers with the Wyoming Army National Guard’s B-Company joined their fellows from Colorado, Minnesota and other states at Fort Hood, Texas, in early June for training. Collectively, the soldiers make up the Wyoming National Guard’s 115th Fires Brigade and spent several weeks there in individual and coactive training. And although the 960th’s mission is classified as non-combat, the soldiers also participated in some combat training to prepare them for any situation that could arise while they are deployed.

Life in Kuwait

Now in Kuwait, the 960th is providing “base camp sustainment” at Camp Virginia and Life Support Area, according to the brigade’s newsletter. Lt. Col. John Papile said the Wyoming soldiers “continue to amaze me with their ingenuity, sense of duty and mission accomplishment.”

Maj. Shane Crops, commander of the 960th rear detachment – the troops that did not deploy – said that he’s heard mostly positive feedback from the soldiers, who are keeping busy with the mission.

“It’s 130 degrees and it never cools down at night, but other than that they’re OK,” he said. “(Kuwait is) a pretty miserable place, really.”

A few deployed soldiers have already returned for medical reasons, but Crops said overall they are staying safe.

“There are no casualties so far, and they haven’t been involved in any shoot-outs,” he said. “It’s (any complaints he’s received) the typical stuff soldiers complain about, but it’s pretty run-of-the-mill overall. It’s mostly positive feedback.”

New Jobs

The soldiers are settling into their roles at Camp Virginia, according to the newsletter, and many are starting to learn multiple jobs.

Torrington soldier Capt. Jeff Williamson works at Force Protection at the Life Support Area, tracking issues with on- and off-post procedures. The Force Protection group also conduct a monthly force protection exercise to “verify that the tenant units assigned to at the LSA understand their piece of force pro and how it effects their day to day operations,” according to the newsletter.

Sgt. Dillon Bomgardner and Cpl. Jason Webb, also local soldiers, are part of the Motor Pool at Camp Virginia. The Motor Pool is a 14-soldier repair and maintenance platoon responsible for bringing equipment up to “mission capable status,” the newsletter said.

The platoon also manages dispatch services, equipment usage, driver training and other transportation-related issues.

“We work through the day and once the day is finished, it’s time to do physical training,” Bomgardner said. “When I’m not working in the Motor Pool, I’m taking care if our unit’s weapons and assisting other units with their weapons.”

He added that the biggest challenge he has faced so far is trying to support the different units at the camp with maintenance issues.

Webb said his greatest challenge has been getting used to the climate, and being away from home and family.

Fun and recreation

While their jobs keep them busy, the soldiers of the 960th do find time to enjoy themselves. Sen. John Barrasso visited the troops earlier this summer, and they were treated to a USO concert, Command Sgt. Maj. Candice Anderson said in the newsletter.

The soldiers also have access to two gymnasiums, recreation centers, a library and theater. The Morale, Recreation and Welfare division also arranges sports competitions, card tournaments and social events for the soldiers.

“I build and play with my R.C. truck,” Bomgardner said. “My buddies do their best at trying to break it on the track.”

Webb said he enjoys playing his guitar and watching T.V. He also does laundry and talks to friends and family during his time off.

And while recreation opportunities provide entertainment and fun in their off hours, Crops said the soldiers seem to mostly enjoy just being in each other’s company. He said the Torrington soldiers in particular are a tight-knit group.

“The weather is bad, you’re away form home … but you deal with it by being together,” he said.

Entertainment, whether it’s sports or cards or any other activity, also helps the soldiers cope, Crops said.

The 960th is expected to begin its mid-tour leave cycle this month, so some soldiers will be returning home on leave relatively soon, Papile said in the newsletter.

Kuwait Culture

Ramadan, the Islamic holy month, began Aug. 22 and will last through the lunar month. Soldiers who ventured off base during this period had the opportunity to witness the traditions first hand.

“Ramadan is the most venerated, blessed and spiritually beneficial month of the Islamic year,” Anderson said in the newsletter.

During Ramadan, Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset. Out of respect for Islamic culture, soldiers who interact with local Muslins throughout the holy period are asked to refrain from eating, drinking and smoking, according to Anderson.

Webb and Bomgardner said they haven’t had much interaction with locals beyond the occasional request for Gatorade or Rip-it.

Here at home

On the home front, the soldiers of the 960th rear detachment are primarily training on new equipment so they can teach the deployed soldiers how it works once they return. There are about 100 soldiers – about one-third - from the 960th who did not deploy for a variety of reasons, Crops said.

The rear detachment also works to be involved with families of deployed soldiers. Crops said soldiers at home make sure their deployed fellows’ families are taken care of.

“Our primary function is to take care of the deployed guys,” he said. “We make sure their families aren’t having any issues … and help is somebody needs help with something.”

The rear detachment can help families deal with a range of issues, from money issues to broken household appliances. Crops said the Family Assistance Center in Casper is the main place for family help, but the rear detachment gets involved with pay and other issues.

Bomgardner said that his family is handling this deployment better then the last one.

“Things are a lot safer this deployment, which puts my family’s mind at ease,” he said, adding that he misses those waiting for his return.

“I miss being able to spend time with my family and my girlfriend,” he said. “Having the opportunity to do those things is what I truly miss the most.”

Webb said the he gets to talk to his family a lot and that he misses spending time with them and being able to ride his motorcycle the most.

The soldiers form the 960th should be back in the United States in mid-April 2010. Crops said he did not expect their deployment to be extended. An extension in theater requires approval by the secretary of defense, and Crops thinks that is unlikely.

“It may be a little earlier, but it won’t be any later than April 15,” he said. “It’s a remote possibility, but I certainly don’t expect it to happen.”







For the complete article see the 11-06-2009 issue.

Click here to purchase an electronic version of the 11-06-2009 paper.

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