Georgia National Guard soldiers deploy to Iraq

MARIETTA — Handkerchiefs were out in full force Saturday at Dobbins Air Reserve Base as soldiers of the 201st Regional Support Group of the Georgia National Guard said goodbye to their family and friends.

The men and women of the 201st are deploying to Iraq in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.

The group will be serving as the Base Operating Support Integrator, or the “mayor’s cell,” said Sgt. Amy King in a press release.

According to Col. Michael Maddox, commander, 201st Regional Support Group, the role of mayor’s cell is essentially responsible for running base camps.

“Many of the bases that were built up had been either vacant or run down,” said Maddox in the release. “A lot is being put into making the bases efficient again.”

For those who were about to depart, the occasion was bittersweet.

“It’s kind of tough, emotionally,” said Maj. Chatchavan Chanyasubkit, who has been on three previous deployments, two to Afghanistan and one to Iraq. “I was shedding tears last night. It’s tough. But just knowing that the family is there to support you, knowing that they’re going to send care packages, it makes it a lot easier. And I know I have a mission to go down and take care of all the other soldiers that haven’t deployed before, I want to make sure they make it safe and share the experience I had during prior deployments, make sure they know what to do, what to expect.”