AL ASAD, Iraq (Aug. 6, 2005) -- The 1st Battalion of the 109th (Mechanized) Infantry, a U.S. Army National Guard unit from Scranton, Pa., arrived here recently to continue the force protection mission Marines from Provisional Security Battalion carried out for the last six months. “Everybody is motivated and prepared to do their mission,” said Sgt. 1st Class George Long, a rifle platoon sergeant from Harlan, Ky. “All the training we completed prepared us for this and everyone’s performing exemplary.” According to Command Sgt. Maj. Michael A. Urban, battalion sergeant major from Waymart, Pa., the unit comes here after intense...