National Guard Awaits Deployment To Iraq, Kuwait
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- In May, 2,400 Minnesota National Guard members will begin preparations to be deployed to Iraq and Kuwait.
They will be supporting Operation New Dawn, the drawdown phase of U.S. military operations in Iraq.
Whether they're on their first deployment to Iraq, or they've been there before, spending a year away from family is never easy.
"It's a duty. You do what you got to do," said Capt. Chris Lotzow, of the Minnesota National Guard.
Known as the Red Bulls, members of the 34th Infantry Division have the next four months to prepare for the separation.
"Minnesotans have grown accustomed to our guard forces leaving their families," said Adjutant General Richard Nash.
For Staff Sgt. Lynette Hoke, that time will be spent planning a wedding.
"I asked him if he would wait. He said I'll do better than that. He said he'd marry me," she said.
"Of course, I'm afraid, but I know she'll be back. I'll be waiting for her here," added Hoke's fiancé, Humberto Olivares.
An Iraq war veteran, this particular deployment will be a whole new experience for Hoke.
"It's nice to not be a single soldier and to be able to look forward to coming home to someone besides my dog," she said.
The deployment not only affects families that are just beginning, but those that just got a little bigger. Capt. Chris Lotzow won't get to experience his daughter Nora's first birthday.
"There is some sacrifice with serving, yes, that is true," he said.
"I knew what I was getting into when I married a soldier," added his wife, Gwen Lotzow.
Even though he won't get to be with his family, Capt. Lotzow and his comrades will play an important role in helping other soldiers reunite with theirs.
The Red Bulls will offer security during the final months of the troop drawdown.
"You get to see instant gratification in that, knowing you're helping other soldiers get home," said Capt. Lotzow.
This is the second largest deployment for the Minnesota National Guard since World War II. The Red Bulls will leave for training in May.
