Red Arrow Brigade Faces Possible Deployment

The Wisconsin National Guard’s Red Arrow Brigade just received notification they may be deployed to Afghanistan in the fall of 2013. The notification is only for potential deployment and there is no indication how many of the 3,400 members of the brigade would be called up.

Guard spokesperson Lt. Col. Jackie Guthrie says it is helpful when soldiers get this much advance notice. “Eleven years ago today we responded within hours. We can and will do that today if needed, but when we can tell our soldiers, their families and their employers that they’re being considered for a deployment a year out, then we’re going to do that too.”

In 2009, the entire Red Arrow Brigade was called up to serve in Iraq. Guard officials have no comment on why this deployment has been scheduled when president Obama has announced a gradual draw down of troops in Afghanistan over the next two years. Currently more than 400 Wisconsin Army National Guard troops are serving in Afghanistan.