Pocono News Section

Soldiers Deploying to Afghanistan

Soldiers Deploying to Afghanistan - Tuesday, October 2, 2007 at 4:50PM EST

Reported by: Lorena Beniquez
Tuesday, Oct 2, 2007 @04:50pm EST

LEWISBURG, UNION COUNTY - According to military officials, more than 700 members of the National Guard from across Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania are heading to Afghanistan. While no firm date has been set, they could leave just before Christmas. "Several months ago we got the notice that we may be deploying and so at that point we shifted our training focus from our traditional training status towards one that's more geared to operations you're seeing in Iraq and Afghanistan," said Major Stephen Radulski.

This will be the largest deployment of Pennsylvania soldiers to Afghanistan ever. Soldiers from Scranton, Wellsboro, Williamsport, Sunbury, Lewisburg and Philadelphia will head overseas.

The Pennsylvania Patriots will first head to Fort Bragg in North Carolina for additional training before starting their mission. Radulski said, "We'll be providing protection for their elements that will have interaction with the local population, local government officials and that will be our primary role."

First Lieutenant Chris McLaud just wed in June. "I feel very blessed that I have a very supportive wife and she has maintained a very positive attitude and we're just moving forward," said the newlywed. And her support won't be forgotten. When asked if he will bring something special with him to Afghanistan to remind him of home, his answer was, "a picture of my wife."