Washington Army National Guard Deploys Units For Operation Iraqi Freedom
Stories & Photos by SGT Charles Ames - Posted Jul, 2003; Updated 04 Aug 04
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In early 2003 the President of the United States called upon reserve forces from across the US to mobilize and enter active duty to support Operation Iraqi Freedom. Two of these units - the 1161st Transportation Company from Ephrata, and Company B, 14th Engineers, headquartered on Fort Lewis in Tacoma - were among those forces. Both of these units are presently part of US Central Command (CENTCOM), and have really been getting the job done in Iraq. Here is the story of their call up and deployment...
Both of these units have returned to home station: B-14 Return 1161st Return
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In mid-February of 2003, 130 men and women from the small agricultural eastern Washington town of Ephrata put down their plow shears and aprons, turned off their tractors and computers, kissed their families goodbye and waved to the crowds lining the path on the way out of town. In a decidedly parade-like atmosphere, complete with crowds lining the streets waving the Stars and Stripes, and a speech by the mayor, very nearly 1 out of every 50 residents of Ephrata headed for Iraq. [Full Story]
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In a unique arrangement between the active duty Army and the Army National Guard, several units have been designated "composite" units, and each contains a company of Guardsmen who train alongside their active duty counterparts. Here in Washington we have just such a unit. The 14th Engineers, headquartered on Fort Lewis, is an active duty Combat Engineer Battalion, except for Company B... they're Guardsmen. When the order came to deploy the 14th Engineers, 110 Guardsmen of Bravo Company got their orders as well. [Full Story]
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