Jun 06 2009
Soldiers leaving the Rockies to move mountains
Rows of green duffle bags were hoisted onto buses, malaria pills were accounted for, and about 300 soldiers cradling their guns were on their way to Afghanistan.
“It’s a little rough,” said Sgt. Joshua Danison. “But, at the same time, you understand it’s your job.”
The last large group from the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division left Fort Carson on Friday for a yearlong deployment in the rugged terrain of the Afghan mountains.
The 3,500-member brigade is the first major Fort Carson combat unit sent to fight in Afghanistan. After serving in some of Baghdad’s most dangerous neighborhoods during the 2007 troop buildup, the brigade will now patrol the border with Pakistan, including the notoriously dangerous Khyber Pass that Rudyard Kipling called “a sword cut through the mountains.”
The brigade has been training since its return from Iraq in January 2008 to battle on foot in terrain that vehicles can’t reach – and to fight a different style than the urban warfare of Iraq.
“In Afghanistan, they actually stand and fight. In Iraq, they blow you up and run away,” said Sgt. Robert Speier, who served in Iraq with a different unit and then reenlisted.
The soldiers gathered at the Special Events Center at Fort Carson to say goodbye to their families and prepare for departure.
“Stay safe” was the chorus from those staying behind, knowing that not all of them will.
Many of the soldiers said they were nervous, but also ready to go.
Pvt. Brian Davison toyed with his M4 and explained that he joined the Army because the “economy is crappy,” and it is the best way to make a life for the woman he plans to marry when he comes home.
For others, it’s much more than that. “I’ve been wanting to do this job since I was 4 years old,” said Pfc. Aaron Weaver.
Meanwhile, 1st Lt. William Fio Rito, a West Point grad, is headed into combat for the first time, where he will lead many men who have already served in Iraq. The officer seemed more focused on his performance than his safety.
“It has been a long time coming, so I’m ready to put to use things I’ve learned over the past six years and see how I do,” he said.
Sgt. Paul Miller is one of the men who was with this same brigade in Iraq. What advice does he give the guys who haven’t seen combat before?
“Duck.”
Lt. Rito,
Sir, Remember to have some fun, its important. Lisen to your Sgt.’s who have been there before. Remember lessons learned in the past, and sir you will do just fine. The hard thing about the deployment is the mail and keeping in touch with what is going on with there families in the ststes. I was at Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Not the same type of thing but that was hard on us as a group. You and your soldiers be careful over there and all come back safe that is the most important thing you can do.
Samuel Jack
USA, Retired