Local guardsmen prepare for spring deployment

YERINGTON -- As a platoon sergeant, Carson City's John Deal knows firsthand the hardships associated with overseas deployments, especially to a war zone.

The Nevada Army National Guard staff sergeant returned from an individual volunteer tour to Iraq in July 2007. Now, it's time for his unit to deploy this spring for Afghanistan.

"I have a lot of young soldiers I want to see return," Deal said Friday as soldiers in Yerington's Alpha Troop of the 1st Squadron 221st Cavalry began their weekend drill.

Approximately 600 guardsmen -- most from three units in Las Vegas -- recently received their alert notification for overseas deployment.

Between now and the time the squadron reports for additional stateside training at Camp Atterbury, Ind., the 221st Cav will spend two weeks in early February at Camp Roberts, Calif., a California Army National Guard training site north of San Luis Obispo.

Once in Afghanistan, the soldiers will convoy to Laghman Province to provide security for a provincial reconstruction team that is rebuilding the country. They will also conduct combat and infantry missions to ensure civil order.

"We want to make sure we get the right amount of training to get back home," Deal said.

Deal knows his overseas experience will assist the younger soldiers.

"In Iraq, everything I learned is helpful," Deal said.

Yet, the local training for the Yerington troop, which includes soldiers from Carson City, Lake Tahoe, Reno, Sparks, Fernley and Fallon, has also prepared guardsmen for the dangers of performing their mission half a world away. Deal said soldiers have received additional instruction in convoy operations and MOUT, Military Operations on Urban Terrain. Both the Fallon Naval Air Station and Hawthorne Army Depot have constructed MOUT sites to help soldiers refine their skills in securing buildings.

"The MOUT training here is pretty realistic. The buildings here are about the same size (of those in Iraq)," Deal said.

Capt. Nicholas T. Moran, unit commander, said soldiers will find this mission "enjoyable."

"They'll be able to interact with the locals," said Moran, who assumed command in September. "There's a lot of variety in the work, and many soldiers are volunteering to come with us."

For Pfc. Matthew P. Wilkerson of Mound House, this will be his first deployment overseas.

"Everybody is pretty positive. I am glad to serve our country," said Wilkerson, who joined Alpha Troop in July after completing basic and advanced training.

Wilkerson said the training is going well, and added the terrain and environment of Nevada is similar to Afghanistan's.

Spec. Tyler K. Wood of Dayton, the Yerington unit's soldier of the year, said details of the mission are still sketchy.

"I know we'll get prepared for the mission, but I am pretty optimistic and looking forward to it," the 2003 Dayton High School graduate said.

This will be the third deployment in this decade for the 221st Cav. After 9/11, selected members were called up to provide airport security, and in 2004, the 221st took the place of the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment at Ft. Irwin, Calif., and acted as the opposing forces in training units headed to Iraq.