Oregon troops train in Idaho for mission to Iraq
By Laura RillosGOWEN FIELD, Idaho -- They don't know the exact day, but the 3,400 members of the Oregon National Guard's 41st Infantry Combat Brigade know some time in 2009, they'll deploy to Iraq. On Aug. 4, members of the brigade headed to Idaho to train for their deployment. In Idaho, the soldiers patrolled four villages and the roads surrounding them, running through training missions depicting scenarios they will likely encounter in Iraq. "Really, we train for the worst," said Captain Kyle Akers. "We brief our guys on what to expect, so if it gets really bad they know how to react to it. If it doesn't get really bad, than it's an easier day for us." On Sunday, one company headed to Kumaysh, one of the mock villages, to conduct a cordone and search operation, which means they will surround buildings and search the inside for a suspect. The scenario is set up to mimic what they'll encounter overseas. The soldiers come under mock gunfire and two small explosions. The village is filled with roleplayers, many of them Iraqi nationals. "They're all speaking the native language," said Capt. Akers. "It's very difficult to learn to use an interpreter, so it's good practice for myself and my lieutenants." Akers, who deployed to Iraq previously, said the training missions are fairly realistic. He expressed a willingness to deploy. "I live in the beautiful state of Oregon and I have a beautiful wife, so I'm not totally looking to going back," he said. "But at this time our country needs me to go back and our brigade needs to go. So If they need me to go, I'm willing to go and support my country and our mission that we're giving." |
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