11 CNMI soldiers Afghanistan-bound

Eleven soldiers from the CNMI are among the estimated 600 from the Guam Army National Guard that are scheduled for a one-year deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Lt. Col. Michael Tougher, commander of the 1-294th Infantry Regiment, said in a statement to Saipan Tribune yesterday that at this point, “there are 11 of the 19 soldiers from the CNMI who are on the manning document for deployment.”

The Guam Army National Guard received last week an alert order for its 1-294th Infantry Regiment and F Company, 29th Base Support Battalion for deployment to Afghanistan. The alert order is a major step in the process leading to mobilization.

Capt. Kenneth Ola, state public affairs officers for the Guam National Guard, said yesterday that the deployment is normally for about a year. That includes about three months of mobilization, such as taking care of training, administrative and logistics requirements, and about nine months in country, he said.

“The deployment of over 600 soldiers from the Guam Army National Guard will be the largest group of reserve component troops from Guam to mobilize and deploy,” Ola added.

The battalion is anticipated to mobilize sometime early next year.

They have been conducting individual training requirements and will be moving into their collective training phase when they conduct their annual training exercise in May.

Rep. Ray Yumul (R-Saipan), who deployed to the Middle East as a member of the 442nd Division of the U.S. Army Reserve’s 100th Infantry Battalion, said yesterday he’s always thankful for those who “volunteer to serve our country and put their lives on the line to protect our freedom and to those they must protect.”

“I will pray for them and their families as they go through this period of separation to serve and defend against this war on terrorism,” he said.

Maj. Gen. Benny M. Paulino, adjutant general for the Guam National Guard, earlier said the alert order “provides us the impetus to refine our plans for preparing our soldiers, along with their families and their employers, the opportunity to reorganize their private lives for this upcoming deployment.”

Last week’s alert order came at a time as a 22-year-old CNMI son who was killed on combat patrol in the Helmand Province in Afghanistan was about to be laid to rest during the weekend in Tacoma, Washington.

Marine Lance Corporal Ramon Taisakan Kaipat’s death brings to 16 the number of CNMI sons and daughters who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the wars against terror since the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.