The Standard Journal

108th continues Kosovo mission

- By Blake Silvers BSilvers @PolkStanda­rdJournal.com

Soldiers from the Calhounbas­ed 1st Squadron, 108th Cavalry Regiment continue their mission abroad as winter in the mountains of Kosovo gives way to spring.

Activated for deployment before Christmas, Army National Guard soldiers from across Northwest Georgia have been in Kosovo since late-February and earlyMarch conducting a NATO-led peacekeepi­ng mission in support of KFOR (Kosovo Force).

“We are asking your troopers to perform harder and to sustain that performanc­e for longer than they probably expected,” 108th Commander Lt. Col. Jace Walden said in a message last week. “It’s a hard thing to continuall­y ask, but they continuall­y rise to the challenge.”

Having maintained a presence in Kosovo for several

decades, 108th soldiers continue the mission of harboring a safe and secure environmen­t for citizens of

the country as longstandi­ng tensions with Serbia continue.

Part of the Georgia Army

National Guard’s 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, the 1-108th is made up of soldiers from armories in Calhoun, Dalton, Cedartown, and Canton.

Any members of the community interested in assisting the deployed soldiers and their families during the deployment with care packages and communicat­ions of support are asked to do so through the Family Readiness Group or the Calhoun Veterans of Foreign Wars Renis Barrett Post 5376.

“We’ve been humbled by the constant influx of letters and care packages, but nothing can replace actually being home,” Walden said, noting that soldiers are now beginning to take advantage of their pass and leave time.

To contact the 1-108th Cavalry, call 706-8792900 or follow at facebook.com/1st108thCA­V/ online. For ways to help through the Calhoun VFW, call 706-383-6442 or follow at facebook.com/VFWCalhoun/ online.

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 ?? ?? NATO-led Kosovo Force Commander Maj. Gen. Ozkan Ulutas (center) visits 108th Cavalry troopers at Camp Nothing Hill in Leposaviq. Right: 1-108th Cavalry soldiers conduct a joint patrol with Polish soldiers on a portion of the Administra­tive Boundary Line near Sllatina, Kosovo.
NATO-led Kosovo Force Commander Maj. Gen. Ozkan Ulutas (center) visits 108th Cavalry troopers at Camp Nothing Hill in Leposaviq. Right: 1-108th Cavalry soldiers conduct a joint patrol with Polish soldiers on a portion of the Administra­tive Boundary Line near Sllatina, Kosovo.
 ?? Spc. Ruben Rueda, 1-108th Cavalry ?? Sgt. First Class Brown and Sgt. Maj. Lawver observe a suspicious vehicle while conducting a patrol of the ABL with Polish partners.
Spc. Ruben Rueda, 1-108th Cavalry Sgt. First Class Brown and Sgt. Maj. Lawver observe a suspicious vehicle while conducting a patrol of the ABL with Polish partners.
 ?? Staff Sgt. Samuel Garcia, 1-108th Cavalry ?? 1-108th Cavalry troopers conduct a patrol in the mountains of Kosovo.
Staff Sgt. Samuel Garcia, 1-108th Cavalry 1-108th Cavalry troopers conduct a patrol in the mountains of Kosovo.
 ?? ?? Left:
Left:

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