Friends, family and extended community members were on hand for the 40th Infantry Division, Detachment A farewell ceremony at the Joint Forces Training Base on Saturday, Oct. 19. Detachment A will be deployed to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba in November as part of the Army National Guard rotation in support of the Joint Task Force Guantanamo.
Sixty citizen-soldiers will be deployed on active duty for 9 months in Cuba. Their duties will include running operations, administration, logistics, joint visitor’s bureau and commissions in support of the military judicial process for more than 150 detainees at Guantanamo Bay.
“The deployment will absolutely help with the War on Terrorism,” said Lt. Col. Jerald Clements, Commander for Detachment A. “If we can protect our nation, staying within the confines of our military and nation’s law, then that’s what we need to do.”
To date, the California National Guard (made up of the Army National Guard and Air National Guard) has deployed over 37,000 men and women since 9/11, said Clements. Historically, the 40th Infantry Division has served in World War II, the Korean War, Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.
“I know these soldiers are ready for our mission,” said Clements. “Our mission is to support the Joint Task Force Guantanamo Bay commander.”
“I also know they will be sorely missed by their love ones”, he continued. “These citizen-soldiers have left their employment, their education, and will soon leave their families and friends to serve with the U.S. Army.”
Sgt. Michael Peterson said his family feels up and down about the deployment. “It’s for the greater good but it’s hard on my wife and 16-year-old son.” he said. “He’ll miss his dad.”
“I think it’s going to be a good deployment,” said Staff Sgt. Tara Reppert of her third deployment. “I’m looking forward to going and doing what we’ve got to do, then coming back home.” “We (Detachment A) are from all over the state of California and will do a good job representing the people of California.”
For Specialist Kevin Palomera, it’s his first deployment and he’s excited about going on it although he had to drop all his classes at Cerritos College but plans to take them online while in Cuba. “I’m enthusiastic,” he said. “And my family is happy and excited for me although they will miss me, too.”