2 National Guard units bid farewell to family and loved ones before deploying to Europe

Family and friends bid farewell before Idaho Army National Guard members deploy

Family, friends and coworkers gathered on Gowen Field on Aug. 22, 2024, to say farewell to soldiers from the Idaho Army National Guard’s 1st of the 183rd Assault Helicopter Battalion as they left Idaho to prepare to deploy overseas in support of Operation Joint Guardian. (Becky Vanshur/U.S. National Guard)

The families and loved ones of National Guard units from Pennsylvania and Idaho bid farewell last week as soldiers prepared to deploy to Europe.

•Soldiers from Idaho Army National Guard’s 1st of the 183rd Assault Helicopter Battalion left Idaho on Thursday to prepare deploy to Kosovo in support of Operation Joint Guardian.

Soldiers will be participating in a joint mission under the United States European Command, focusing on training and supporting allied partners. Families and loved ones gathered to say farewell to the soldiers as they departed from Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho.

Several UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters and more than 100 personnel left for Texas to receive approximately 30 days of additional training before departing to Kosovo for an 11-month rotation in support of the NATO peacekeeping mission.

“I have confidence in your readiness,” said Maj. Gen. Timothy J. Donnellan, adjutant general of Idaho and commander of the Idaho National Guard. “You’ve undergone extensive training and are equipped with the best tools and knowledge available. Your dedication to this mission is clear, and I know you will carry it out with the professionalism and excellence that defines the 1st of the 183rd AHB.”

•More than 150 Soldiers with the Pennsylvania National Guard’s 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team were honored during a deployment ceremony Wednesday at Strickler Field, Fort Indiantown Gap, Pa.

They will deploy to Germany for a year to support the Joint Multinational Training Group Ukraine, aiding the 7th Army Training Command with its mission of helping Ukraine defend itself. Families and loved ones were in attendance of the ceremony to honor their soldiers and send them off with well wishes.

“This mission supports the United States enduring national interests that include security for U.S. allies and partners, respect for universal values, and a rules-based international world order that promotes peace and security,” said Col. Christopher Costello, commander of the 56th SBCT. “I am confident that we have the right people and the right training to ensure the success of this mission.”

Family and friends bid farewell before Pennsylvania Army National Guard members deploy

U.S. Army Capt. Jason Krouse with the 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division, Pennsylvania Army National Guard hugs his daughter at the unit’s pre-deployment farewell ceremony at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pa., on Aug. 21, 2024. (Israel Fernandez/U.S. Army National Guard)

U.S. Army 1st Lt. Austin Kinney with the 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division, Pennsylvania Army National Guard smiles with his family at the unit’s pre-deployment farewell ceremony at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pa., Aug. 21, 2024. (Israel Fernandez/U.S. Army National Guard)

Surrounded by loved ones, U.S. Army 1st Lt. Paul Richter with the 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division, Pennsylvania National Guard smiles at the unit’s pre-deployment farewell ceremony at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pa., Aug. 21, 2024. (Leanne Demboski/U.S. Army National Guard)

U.S. Army Maj. David Marra with the 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division, Pennsylvania Army National Guard has his cover stolen by his nephew at the unit’s pre-deployment farewell ceremony at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pa., Aug. 21, 2024. (Israel Fernandez/U.S. Army National Guard)

A soldier assigned to the 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division, Pennsylvania Army National Guard proudly takes a good look at his newborn at the unit’s pre-deployment farewell ceremony at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pa., Aug. 21, 2024. (Israel Fernandez/U.S. Army National Guard)

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Michael Hansen with the 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division, Pennsylvania Army National Guard laughs along with his family at the unit’s pre-deployment farewell ceremony at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pa., Aug. 21, 2024. (Israel Fernandez/U.S. Army National Guard)

U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Kurtis Startzel with the 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division, Pennsylvania Army National Guard lifts his daughter sky-high at the unit’s pre-deployment farewell ceremony at Fort Indiantown Gap, on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024. (Leanne Demboski/U.S. Army National Guard)

Soldiers with the 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division, Pa., National Guard are honored during a deployment ceremony at Strickler Field at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pa., on Aug. 21, 2024. (Travis Mueller/U.S. Army National Guard)

U.S. Army Maj. Cory Johnson, public affairs officer with the 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, takes a photo during a deployment ceremony at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pa., Aug. 21, 2024. (Travis Mueller/U.S. Army National Guard)

National Guard

Kaylyn Barnhart

Kaylyn Barnhart is a digital editor at Stars and Stripes. She previously worked with the strategic communications team for the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Triangle, Va. She has a bachelor’s degree from George Mason University in Fairfax, Va. and is based in Washington D.C.

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2 National Guard units bid farewell to family and loved ones before deploying to Europe

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