Published: February 28, 2008 04:42 pm            

Departure ceremonies set for local National Guard soldiers

Feb. 27. 2008 — As the 201st Engineer Battalion of the Kentucky National Guard gets ready for an overseas deployment, the troops will have the opportunity to say goodbye to friends and loved ones at two separate departure ceremonies.

The first ceremony March 1 at the Boyd County Middle School is for the entire battalion and set to begin at 1 p.m.

The local troops also will receive a ceremony Sunday, March 2 at the Olive Hill Armory, which is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. and open to the entire community.

The battalion left Jan. 30 for training for mobilization and deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Comprised of more than 450 soldiers and commanded by Lt. Col. Michael Ferguson, the battalion is made up of units from Ashland, Olive Hill, Cynthiana and Prestonsburg.

After returning for the departure ceremonies, the 201st will move to Ft. McCoy, Wisconsin, March 9 for approximately two months for additional mission-related training prior to the deployment to Afghanistan. The tour will last until March 2009.

While in Afghanistan the unit’s primary mission will be road cleaning and construction, removing obstacles and ensuring main supply routes remain open.

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.