Maine soldiers depart for future duty in Iraq

GARDINER – Dozens of soldiers left the state on Tuesday for eventual duty in Iraq, increasing the number of deployed members of the Maine National Guard to the highest level since World War II.

The headquarters company of the 500-member 133rd Engineer Battalion, the state’s largest unit, departed from Gardiner and 124 members of the 152nd Field Artillery Battalion shipped out from Waterville.

The soldiers were headed for bases in New Jersey and New York, where they’ll receive additional training before shipping out for Iraq, said Maj. Peter Rogers, director of public affairs for the Maine National Guard.

The 133rd left Gardiner in a convoy of Humvees and other military vehicles, while the 152nd left in chartered buses.

When the remainder of the 133rd departs Wednesday, the number of deployed soldiers from Maine will total 1,100 -half of the Maine National Guard, said Maj. Gen. Joseph Tinkham, the Maine National Guard commander.

The 133rd Engineer Battalion’s skills in fixing roads and building bridges will be put to work in Iraq. Soldiers won’t receive any formal orders until they arrive at Fort Drum, N.Y., Rogers said.

The 152nd Field Artillery Battalion, which includes cannon crew members, fire direction specialists and mechanics, will be retrained at Fort Dix, N.J., to function as military police in Iraq, he said.

In Gardiner, Barbara Daniels had three good reasons to attend the send-off: her son, Jesse J. Daniels; her brother, Joseph Speck; and her son-in-law’s brother, Travis Lane, are part of the 133rd.

She said it’s difficult to think of loved ones, especially her own son, going on a dangerous mission in the war-torn country, but said she supports her son and his decision to join the military.

“Of course I’m worried. Of course I don’t want him to go. But I’m proud of my son’s decision,” Daniels said. “This is what he wanted to do.”

In Waterville, 1st Sgt. Mike Lord acknowledged that soldiers from the 152nd initially reacted with apprehension to their change from artillery gunners to military police. But Lord said the switch in duties is not out of the ordinary for a National Guard unit or any military group.

“If you read some of the history books, you’ll find most of the military has used whatever personnel it has had to do whatever is needed at the time,” he said.