Neil's Notebook Neil, the Guard, and Military Readiness
October 22, 2008
Congressman Neil Abercrombie on Wednesday (10/22/08) attended farewell ceremonies at Fort Hood, Texas for 1,700 Hawaii Army National Guard troops from the 29th Brigade Combat Team who've been training and preparing for deployment to Kuwait.
During his visit, Abercrombie, a member of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Air and Land Forces, held a series of meetings with Fort Hood’s commander, leaders with the 29th BCT, and Hawaii troops. The Hawaii soldiers have concluded 65 days of training exercises at Fort Hood and have been packing up before their scheduled departure on October 29th.
This is 29th BCT’s second deployment which is expected to last for about one year. The troops will be involved in base protection and convoy security. Some of the convoys will be traveling into Iraq. An Oklahoma brigade will be joining the 29th BCT on this deployment.
Abercrombie has been a staunch supporter of the National Guard and was recognized for his work on military readiness and veterans issues earlier this year when the National Guard Association of the United States presented him with the "Charles Dick Medal of Merit."
The farewell ceremonies were attended by a contingent of Hawaii civic leaders, Congressman Abercrombie, and Senator Dan Akaka.
Part 3: America faces readiness and security crisis. Congressman Abercrombie's House Armed Services Subcommittee faces tough choices while addressing the nation's military and national security crisis. (3:23 minutes)
