Bragg troops make final preps before Afghanistan deployment

MANAS AIR BASE, KYRGYZSTAN — After a 25-hour trip, members of Fort Bragg's 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade arrived in Kyrgyzstan Monday to make their final preparations before traveling to nearby Afghanistan for a one-year deployment.

The three-day stop at the training center at Manas Air Base, near the Kyrgyzstan capital of Bishkek, will be the troops' last stop before heading to Bagram Air Base, near Kabul, Afghanistan.

"My head is on a swivel, and I'm ready for the training to get me prepared for my final destination," Sgt. Lindsey Carr said. "I'm ready for whatever (happens) ... I'm just motivated."

Pfc. Chris Snyder said the impact of the deployment into Afghanistan's turbulent atmosphere set in Saturday as he said goodbye to his family at Fort Bragg.

"It was when I was leaving my family at the hangar," Snyder said. "It kind of hit me then."

Yet, he and others said they are looking forward instead of back so they can focus on their training and mission, which they have been preparing for for the past year.

"To a certain extent, you're kind of relieved that you've made it this far," Capt. Melissa Shelton said. "But you're also ready to get to your final destination and do your mission – do what you're here to do."

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Latest Comments

We're fighting them there, so we don't have to fight them here. Did you forget 9/11? I will never forget and I dont want something like that to happen again. I would hate to think that we are sending our love onces to fight a war with no reason. I support you 82nd CAB and keep up the hard work!!

panteraachickk1111
October 4, 2011 6:23 p.m.

RB...it's not over yet. My husband is going there next year!

bella
October 3, 2011 6:14 p.m.

frankbad15 - iCausualties.org has them listed.

cantstandgoloanymore
October 3, 2011 4:56 p.m.

Worland,

Where did you get your numbers from?

frankbad15
October 3, 2011 4:27 p.m.

Worland - are you talking about the Surge that was requested by the Republicans in 2008 (for 20k troops), put on hold by Obama until further review was complete in 2009(caused quite an outcry by the conservative war mongers as I recall), and then sent more troops (40K) than originally requested on an accelerated time table to ensure success? Guess I'm missing your point. It is fine when the repubs request 20k originally but completely unacceptable when they send 40k during the same time frame requested to make sure the job gets done right? How many would have been killed had they not had enough to do the job. As a professed republican, you should love this. More troops mean more government contract jobs for Haliburtan and the rest of the war machine.

cantstandgoloanymore
October 3, 2011 3:46 p.m.