California Guardsmen Train for Kosovo Deployment

American Forces Press Service ^ | Sgt. Sheila Holifield, USA

[SandRat]

CAMP SHELBY, Miss., Dec. 12, 2008 – Nearly 100 California National Guardsmen are preparing for a deployment to Kosovo in the spring, where they will serve as the NATO Kosovo Force’s quick-reaction force.

Army Capt. Michael Riley, commander of Company C, 1-185th Combined Arms Battalion, and Army Brig. Gen. Keith Jones, assistant deputy adjutant general for California’s Army National Guard, get front-row action as they observe a M2 Bradley fighting vehicle live-fire exercise at Camp Shelby, Miss. The exercise is part of training to ready the 1-185th CAB for a deployment to Kosovo. U.S. Army photo  
(Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

Members of the 1-185th Combined Arms Battalion from Bakersfield, Calif., arrived here to train with their M2 Bradley fighting vehicle.

“Over 50 percent of our soldiers have prior deployment experience to a combat zone doing this type of mission, so we know what to expect,” Army Capt. Michael Riley, commander of Company A, 1-185th CAB, said.

Riley said the soldiers can draw from their prior deployment experiences when interacting with the local population.

“We understand cultural sensitivity, and no matter where you are being deployed to, that is important,” Riley said.

Although the unit’s soldiers are not new to the deployed environment, Riley said, this particular mission will be challenging in its own way.

“Our focus is to help our soldiers understand current battlefield parameters and adhering to their current standards,” Riley said. “It’s not easy for an infantry soldier to transition out of that mode and into a more ‘friendly’ role, and still be able to transition right back to being an infantryman.”

Upon their arrival here in late November, the soldiers focused on Bradley gunnery training.

“It’s just like qualifying with an individual weapon, but we also have to qualify as a crew,” Riley said.

Riley said 100 percent of his soldiers qualified.

In mid-December, the 1-185th CAB will travel to Camp Atterbury, Ind., where they will continue their mobilization training for the Kosovo deployment.

(Army Sgt. Sheila Holifield serves in the 177th Armored Brigade public affairs office.)

Related Sites:
California National Guard
Kosovo Force

[elpadre]

How long are we obliged to remain in the Balkans??

[SandRat]

Well,.. the Zippergate-Pres and Gen Wesly CLuck did say the troops would be home by Christmas. They just didn’t say Christmas of which year. < / sarc

[AGreatPer]

“We understand cultural sensitivity, and no matter where you are being deployed to, that is important,” Riley said.

They never do say what the mission is.
I'm hoping that it's to train someone to take our place. Naw, their under NATO. NATO wouldn't do that.

Praying for all our troops.

[uncbob]

Clinton said we would be out by 2000

[The KG9 Kid]

My question exactly. Forever and ever it seems.

Bring the troops home.

[SalukiLawyer]

In the Crimean War the British and French allied against Russia to protect Turkish interests in killing Christians. In the Balkan War America allied with Britain and France against Russia to protect Moslem interests in killing Christians.

As long are there are surviving Christians in the region, our job won't be done.

[knarf]

I know this is a serious and legitimate article, rat .. but I couldn’t help but think first .. “Yeah, I know .. to DC for the inauguration, right?”

[GAB-1955]

What’s wrong with staying in the Balkans? I can think of worse bases.

[IrishPennant]

Read up (google) on Germany’s interest in Kosovo...very interesting...and may answer why we are still hanging out at that armpit of a base in Kosovo - Camp Bondsteel.

[Bokababe]

"Read up (google) on Germany’s interest in Kosovo...very interesting...and may answer why we are still hanging out at that armpit of a base in Kosovo - Camp Bondsteel."

May God watch over these guys!

But you are right. Here's an article from last January, just before Kosovo declared independence re the US, Germany & Kosovo. Germany has been the engineer of the breakup of Yugoslavia from the beginning.

[IrishPennant]

There’s another article I will try to pull up for you, but Germany has invested HEAVILY in this...monetarily and otherwise. When I find, I will post!!!