Local Guard put on 'alert'
Last Updated on 2/4/2012
Published on 5/29/2009
By Scott Harper
sharper@gtowntimes.com
For the second time this decade, this area's S.C. National Guard unit has been placed on "alert" status, meaning there is a possibility of deployment.
Col. Pete Brooks, a spokesman for the South Carolina National Guard, said that being placed on alert gives the leadership "a heads up" that activation could take place.
He said it wasn't certain that the 650 members of the 178th Field Artillery Unit would be sent overseas.
The members of the 178th Field Artillery Unit are from Georgetown, Andrews, Hemingway, Manning and Clinton.
Georgetown City Assistant Fire Chief Bill Johnson said one of that department's firefighters is out on military duty as he helps train other members of the unit for possible deployment.
"He has said he will be gone about two years," Johnson said, adding a replacement has already been hired.
Another public official said the word he has received is a deployment could take place in early to mid 2010 for one year out-of-country.
Georgetown Police Chief Paul Gardner said he has one officer who may be deployed if the activation takes place.
One official said he was told the unit would likely be asked to provide security in Iraq where the rebuilding efforts are taking place.
The South Carolina Air National Guard has also been informed it could be called to active duty by mid-2010, said Johnson, who has a firefighter in that unit.
Brooks would not say if the unit is deployed if they will return to Iraq or be sent to Afghanistan.
If activated, the unit would likely be sent to the Fort Dix mobilization station in New Jersey for additional training before beginning their main duties,
Until an activation notice is issued, the alert can be canceled or extended based on the changing needs of the military.
In June, 2004, the battallion was placed on alert.
At that time, Brooks told The Times there have been cases where units were placed on alert and never deployed.
Once a unit is on alert, they are usually given from three to five days' notice before they are sent to training.
In July 2004 more than 150 Georgetown County residents -- as well as hundreds from other counties -- were sent to New Jersey for training. They were deployed to Iraq in September of that year to begin conducting security force missions for convoys throughout Iraq and Kuwait.
During their time of deployment, several local organizations got together and prepared care packages which they sent to the soldiers. Yellow ribbons and car magnets were seen all over the county in support of the troops.
In October 2005 -- the same day Iraqis went to the polls for the first time to vote on a new constitution -- a celebration was held at Tommy Smith Stadium at Georgetown High to welcome the soldiers home and to honor them for their service.
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i love being an army wife! It has changed my life so much! My husband has been in a year and he loves it and I am so happy that he joined the army national guard! thank you other soldiers and troops for what you have done and what you are doing! May God Bless Everyone and the soldiers families too Posted by bridges on 5/30/2009 |
