1092ND HAS LEFT FOR KUWAIT - Area National Guardsmen Departed Monday

(04/09/2003)

The West Virginia battalion best known for its ability to rebuild the state after floods has left for Kuwait, standing by to help fellow soldiers rebuild Iraq. Dozens of soldiers from Roane, Calhoun and the region are members of the unit. Several Calhoun men belong to the Spencer Detachment. The 1092nd Engineering Combat Battalion, based in Parkersburg, left Fort Bragg, NC, Monday night for Kuwait, according to a family member. An estimated 511 soldiers with the 1092nd spent the eight previous weeks at Fort Bragg, North Carolina preparing for their mission in the Gulf War, training with weapons to building bridges or actually fighting soldiers. Engineering combat battalion units go in during the fighting to help reconstruct the country and get life back to normal, according to 1092nd Col. Melvin Burch. "They can do everything from fight as infantry to build roads. They are multipurpose," said Burch, who said he couldn't release the specific nature of the group. Burch said he could not release the unit's specific mission, but the soldiers were ready to do whatever they were called on to do -- building bridges, fighting or clearing land mines. John Allen, brother of 1st Sgt. Fred Allen of Gassaway told media the soldiers are enthusiastic. He said "They're watching the news reports and there's a whole menagerie of angles presented. They don't know how they'll be represented in the news media...not just them, but all the soldiers.They're just good old folks from here at home trying to do a job." Allen said they feel well prepared and confident.

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