About 2,000 Arkansas soldiers training in the Mojave Desert

story info submitted by Capt. Chris Heathscott, public affairs officer, Arkansas National Guard

FORT IRWIN, Calif. — While recent tornados and flooding resulted in multiple calls for National Guard support in Arkansas, the Guard’s focus on its federal missions continues with 2,000 Arkansas troops here currently at the National Training Center.

The 39th Infantry Brigade Combat Team is participating in a three week rotation at the NTC in preparation for a potential 2012 deployment to Afghanistan. In addition to the Arkansas Soldiers, five members of the Arkansas Air National Guard’s 154th Weather Flight are participating in the rotation as well in support of the brigade.

The majority of the team arrived here Monday, May 9, 2011, along with 1,500 other participating Guard and Reservists from various other states. With command and control over all 3,500 troops during the rotation, the brigade spent the past week working with NTC combat trainers to strengthen the unit’s ability to shoot, move and communicate.

Since their arrival, the troops participated in a wide variety of training from basic Soldier skills to cultural awareness, all designed to heighten their ability to succeed and survive on the battlefield.

After completing the initial week of training, the brigade began its movement into a simulated combat environment where the troops will spend their next 11 days dealing with a variety of realistic scenarios. The training includes dozens of Afghan personnel who serve as civilians on the battlefield to create an even greater level of realism with the added language barriers.

Less than two years after returning from its second deployment to Iraq, the 39th received notification of its potential deployment to Afghanistan. The brigade initially deployed to Iraq from 2004 to 2005 and again throughout 2008. This most recent deployment is anticipated in the spring of 2012.

The brigade is anticipated to complete the training and return to the state just prior to Memorial Day.

The Arkansas National Guard currently has approximately 350 Soldiers and Airmen deployed overseas in Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan. More than 12,500 Arkansas Guardsmen have mobilized in support of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom since Sept. 11, 2001.

Roughly 700 Arkansas Guardsmen have participated in the recent tornado and flood support missions in the state for a total of over 3,800 man-days. In the absence of the 39th Brigade’s Soldiers, the ongoing state missions for the Guard are supported by the state’s other five major subordinate commands.