OKNG Prepares for Afghanistan Pullout
Oklahoma National Guard members prepare to join Afghan pullout
BY JERRY WOFFORD World Staff Writer
Saturday, February 23, 2013
BRAGGS – Soldiers loaded up in armored vehicles and trucks Friday and set out across Camp Gruber, ready to encounter roadside bombs, civilians and other scenarios.
It was a bit colder than what they’ll see in Afghanistan this summer, but the training was as true as members of the 1220th Engineer Company will see on the ground.
The approximately 150 Oklahoma National Guard soldiers will leave Oklahoma early next month to complete training near Fort Bliss, Texas. They will then head to eastern Afghanistan for a nine-month deployment.
“This deployment, we have a deconstruction mission, which basically consists of tearing down bases out there,” said company commander Capt. Joshua Lawson of Fort Gibson, who also is an Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper.