New York Army National Guard Soldiers Deploy Overseas

CAMP SHELBY, MISS. (04/12/2012)(readMedia)-- More than 150 New York Army National Guard Soldiers completed post-mobilization training here and departed for their nine-month deployment in Afghanistan yesterday.

The Soldiers came from Companies B, from Fort Drum, N.Y., and Company C, from Buffalo, N.Y., of the 427th Brigade Support Battalion.

The units had completed their predeployment training here at Camp Shelby since early February to prepare for their Afghanistan assignments.

The Soldiers will be responsible for supporting logistical and medical needs at United States military facilities in Afghanistan. Company B Soldiers will provide logistical planning and support in the coming months as U.S. forces prepare to close select outposts and forward operating bases leading up to 2014. Company C Soldiers, in the role of an area support medical company, will provide medical support for forces in theater.

More than 1,700 New York Army National Guard Soldiers from the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team mobilized for Active Duty in January and reported to Camp Shelby for post-mobilization training.

The bulk of those Soldiers deployed to Kuwait but a task force built around the 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry Regiment, headquartered in Utica but with other elements headquartered in Ithaca, Gloversville, Ogdensburg, Saranaca Lake, Morrisonville, and the Camp Smith Training Site in Cortlandt Manor, will deploy to provide security at bases in Afghanistan. Those Soldiers are expected to complete their training in the coming weeks.