Posted on 12/14/2010 9:09:38 PM PST by Stonewall Jackson
For Erica Lukachko and her growing family, deployments don’t get any easier.
Her husband, Sgt. First Class Aaron Lukachko, is gearing up for a winter deployment to Afghanistan as part of the 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division — his third deployment in his 14-year military career, Erica said.
It’s a familiar feeling for many families who arrived Thursday in support of their loved ones at Fort Knox as the soldiers took to Brooks Field during a deployment ceremony. Often referred to as the Duke Brigade, the brigade moved to Fort Knox from Fort Hood as part of the Base Realignment and Closure Initiative. The first members arrived in October 2009.
Approximately 3,400 soldiers will deploy this winter to eastern Afghanistan to work alongside Afghan National Security Forces to protect the Afghan people, root out and defeat insurgents and work to shift the balance of power to the Afghan government, according to the Fort Knox Public Affairs Office.
Erica Lukachko said her husband is using the remaining time with his family playing Nintendo Wii and board games and taking their four children on trips to the zoo.
She said it will be the first time her youngest children have had to experience their father’s absence because of deployment.
The deployments have remained difficult because of additions to their family, she added, with her husband forced to miss birthdays and the birth of one of their children. That is why, she said, they try to squeeze as much activity as they can into their remianing time together.
Lt. Gen. Benjamin Freakley, commanding general of Fort Knox, said Tuesday was the beginning of a year-long deployment that will bring the soldiers face-to-face with the enemy.
Their selfless willingness to march to the forefront of battle as a volunteer unit shows incredible fortitude, he said.
“These soldiers represent the best of America,” he said.
Freakley also highlighted Duke Brigade’s tenacity, describing an infantry brigade combat team as the most potent force available in the U.S. Army. While the enemy is formidable, Freakley said, those in the brigade are tougher and better, he said.
Any fears they have of their enemy will fade fast, Freakley added, but they should never underestimate the abilities of the insurgents.
“Trust in your training; trust in your equipment; trust in your leaders,” Freakley said.
Freakley also assured the families — many hoisting toddlers and young children trying to catch a glimpse of their parents — that the post would wrap an umbrella of support around them during the deployment.
“You need to know you are not alone,” he said.
Freakley said communities surrounding Fort Knox must wrap their arms around the families and extend support beyond the post’s border.
“The next year in the greater Fort Knox area is not business as usual,” he said.
Col. Christopher Toner, commander of the 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, said his soldiers are mentally ready and thoroughly trained for the task ahead.
They know the terrain and the culture they are stepping into, he said, and the Army has been mindful to incorporate linguistics and cultural training into their overall preparedness so they can effectively communicate and interact with the Afghan people.
Soldiers also have taken courses in construction techniques.
“Our team will be deployed early next year to remote parts of Afghanistan,” said Lt. Col. Dave Brown, commander of the 201st Brigade Support Battalion. “Our goal is to have two soldiers per company in the brigade trained to the Elizabethtown Community and Technical College standards in electricity, plumbing and carpentry. Those skills will enable soldiers to more effectively and more safely build whatever structures are necessary to improve their living conditions.”
“Soldiers will be able to provide coaching and teaching in these new trade skill areas to Afghan partners committed to rebuilding their country,” Brown added. “The electrical, plumbing and carpentry skills learned will also enable soldiers to competently inspect any Commander’s Emergency Response Program projects to ensure they are safe.”
Toner said the Army also has worked with families in preparation for deployment, and the brigade is scaling back its training and allowing soldiers to spend more time with their families — mindful they need to recharge their batteries before deploying.
And while Toner said he is fully confident in the mission and the soldiers leading it, he has concerns and worries that he compared to a father’s concerns for his children.
“That doesn’t necessarily alleviate my concerns,” he said of the training,
Capt. Benny Romero, a 10-year Army veteran, is preparing for his third deployment and sneaking in as much time as he can with his family before he has to depart, he said. The deployment will come after Christmas, so the troops will be home for the holidays.
Romero said he has missed a few key holidays in the past, which is the nature of the beast. Missing those holidays, he said, makes one more mindful of how important family time is.
“I got lucky,” he said.
FYI
Prayers for these troops and their families. I know from personal experience how hard deployments can be. (My wonderful DH is currently on his 7th deployment to Iraq.)
Better not shoot the bad guys or he will end up going to prison!
We thank you for your service to our country,
and send you with prayers for your safety and success of mission.
Amen.
Thank God for our brave troops. Prayers up for their safety and success. God bless them, every one.
BTTT
Thanks for the ping.
Godspeed the Duke Brigade!
Joining you with prayers for these troops and their families. Praying too for you and your wonderful DH.
Thanks for the ping my dear friend.
Sending prayer from home.
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