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The members of the 848th Engineer Company say good bye to their family and friends as they depart on a year long journey to Iraq. Lead by Capt. Israel Brown, many of these engineers are volunteers from various other units. (Georgia National Guard photo by Spc. Amanda Kenny)
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deploys to Iraq
By Spc Amanda Kenny
Georgia Army National Guard
DOUGLAS, Ga. -- More than 200 family members and friends said farewell to loved ones Saturday, March 29, as Soldiers of the 848th Engineer Company are headed for Iraq.
“You cannot get back until you get there,” said Maj. Gen. Terry Nesbitt, the Adjutant General, as he addressed the men of the 848th. “That tour begins today and we will not breathe easy until you all return home,” Nesbitt told the more than 100 Guardsmen at a send off ceremony at the Douglas armory.”
Nesbitt specifically pointed out the families of the deploying Guardsmen, calling them, “the brick and mortar,” of the Guard. “Without you (family members) standing behind them they cannot do what they need to do.”
Capt. Israel Brown, commander, 848th, who was promoted during the ceremony to the rank of captain, said “this is the most diverse unit I have had the pleasure of commanding. There were so many volunteers who wanted to be a part of this unit. We even have a Soldier who came all the way from South Dakota.
“Most of these volunteers were not even engineers, but we sent them to school and all but a few are back and ready to fight,” continued Brown. “The remaining few will finish school and join us in Iraq.”
The 848th made its first deployment to Iraq in 2005 with the 48th Infantry Combat Brigade, the unit was then known as Company C, 648th Engineers. The unit was reflagged to its current designation June 2007.
Congressman Jack Kingston also had words of encouragement for the Soldiers he represents. Quoting President Ronald Regan, the congressman declared,” Freedom is always a generation away from extinction.”
Kingston also encouraged the men to write home to him about anything they see that is good or needs to be improved.
Representative Chuck Sims, a former commander of the unit, said “remain vigilant and aware and bring these men home.”
The unit was adopted by two Veterans of Foreign Wars posts, as well as given two Georgia flags to take with them into battle. The family readiness group was also recognized. The commander of VFW Post 5976 presented the FRG with a $1,000 check.
The engineers will be doing reconstruction and security missions while deployed. They left March 31 for Fort McCoy to finish mobilization training, before deploying overseas.
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