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Copyright © 2003 Express Publishing Inc.
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Wednesday, June 30, 2004

News

Raw youth and experience blend to form the members of scout platoon based in Hailey for the 116th Cavalry Brigade of the Idaho Army National Guard. The men were put on active duty Monday. Express photo by Willy Cook

Hailey unit deploys for war

Scout platoon’s combat training to commence in Texas


By MATT FURBER
Express Staff Writer

As other workers in the Wood River Valley headed to their jobs on their regular Monday morning commute, a scout platoon of the Idaho Army National Guard based at the Hailey Armory was headed into a whole new world.

Soldiers kissed loved ones goodbye and shared some final moments with family.

Crating gear for transport to Fort Bliss, Texas, where the Guard will commence active duty combat training this week, Spec. Ryan Miller, left, Spec. Cody Byington, Spec. Mike Litz and Spec. Zach Hall ready the final loads. Express photo by Willy Cook

Platoon leader Lt. Matt Addleman and the 30 soldiers in his command, who act as the eyes and ears of the 116th Cavalry Brigade in combat, officially went on active duty Monday. They have been ordered to gear up for the third phase of Operation Iraqi Freedom, which is to support the new interim Iraqi government.

"It might have started right about now," Addleman said, looking at his watch, foreshadowing Monday’s surprise transfer of official Iraqi leadership from the Coalition Provisional Authority to Iraqi leadership.

As the Hailey unit’s Guardsmen finished packing, they also received surprise news that they would actually have two more days before their charter flight leaves for three months of combat training in Fort Bliss, Texas.

"God willing, if everything works out, we will get to go home and be with our families before we fly out," said Addleman, 33, who lives in Boise with his wife and two young boys.

Other soldiers attached to the platoon live in Carey, Twin Falls, Pocatello, Idaho Falls, Nampa, Meridian, Mountain Home, Jerome and Richfield, he said.

Home away from home, Hailey guardsmen get their footlockers and duffels squired away. Pictured, left to right, are Pvt. Dustin Harrison, Spc. Ryan Miller, Spc. Randy Johnson and Spc. Adam Beaty. Express photo by Willy Cook

For Addleman, the Guard is a second job. He also works as a supervisor for UPS. He said he looks forward to the fulfillment of his enlistment contract, which he agreed to as a way to help fund his college years. With a degree in International Affairs from Boise State University, Addleman looks at the deployment to Iraq in part as a test of his academic study.

"I am excited," he said. "I’ve been in the Guard for 15 years. I don’t think I’ll retire until they kick me out."

He added that once a soldier signs a contract to join the Guard he knows that combat is always a possibility.

"Honestly, I never expected it to happen. It wasn’t something I was disappointed about ... It was my job, my obligation, my duty ... ."

Addleman said his father, who enlisted and served in Vietnam, is concerned about his son going into a combat zone.

"(I want to share) my deepest appreciation and gratitude for the support (the community has) shown us, especially in the last several months," the Lieutenant added. "We have been getting more support than we know what to do with. It is greatly appreciated."

For cavalry scouts, the word “mission” is a big word. Platoon Sgt. Alan Layton, left, and platoon leader Lt. Matt Addleman, the brain trust of the unit, said in the case of the Hailey boys the job is to find, engage and destroy the enemy. Express photo by Willy Cook

The same sentiment came from Wood River High School graduates, Spc. Cody Byington, 20, and Pvt. Casey Markwell, 18.

"I am grateful to have two more nights," said Marwell, who completed basic training this spring.

Markwell said his girlfriend was not happy about his going off to war.

Byington said as a single man it easier to go, except that he will miss his parents and his brothers and sisters.

"I love them, and I’ll see them in two years," he said. Byington has 11 family members who have served in the U.S. military.

Sgt. Jason Kimball secures weapons in the arms room prior to departure from the Hailey Armory. Express photo by Willy Cook

Byington graduated from Wood River High School in 2002 and Markwell graduated in 2003. Another WRHS graduate and classmate of Markwell‘s, Daniel Fierman, is with the Guard’s Bravo Company in Boise. Markwell’s uncle, a major, has already deployed with the 750 advance unit troops who left for Fort Bliss at the beginning of the month.

"Being away from my family for 18 to 24 months is almost unfathomable," Addleman said. "But, you pull yourself up and you do what you have to do."

Packing and preparing for a Guard farewell party in Twin Falls on Monday, the Hailey soldiers were in a decent mood.

"We’re enjoying an off day ‘cause from now on, it will be full-tilt boogie for the next eighteen months," said Spec. Tommy Dobbs, another platoon member originally from Boise.


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The Idaho Mountain Express is distributed free to residents and guests throughout the Sun Valley, Idaho resort area community. Subscribers to the Idaho Mountain Express will read these stories and others in this week's issue.





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