EDINBURGH, Ind. – Approximately 600 Indiana National Guard soldiers with the 38th Infantry Division bid farewell to loved ones during a departure ceremony at Camp Atterbury on Wednesday.
The division troops will deploy to the Middle East in support of Operation Spartan Shield, the United States operation to strengthen defense relationships and build partner capacity through leader engagements, multinational exercises, and response planning.
“The men and women assembled here today have answered the call to serve our state and nation,” said Maj. Gen. Dan Degelow, the division’s commanding general. “You warriors have trained for this important mission, you have given and continue to give of yourselves, and you stand ready for what lies ahead.”
What they’re ready for and what lies ahead is an overseas deployment slated for about nine months, with the soldiers’ mobilization lasting about a year. Their first stop will be at Fort Cavasos, Texas, for 30 days of additional individual and unit training before heading overseas.
The soldiers trained and prepared for their upcoming mission over the last 12 months, which included a warfighter exercise in June and medical response training in February.
