2 Wis. Army National Guard units to deploy to Afghanistan

Sussex-, Chippewa Falls-based units to deploy for separate missions this spring

MADISON, Wis. — Two Wisconsin Army National Guard units will be going to Afghanistan this spring as part of Operation Enduring Freedom, according to a state Department of Military Affairs release.

Sussex-based Battery A of the 1st Battalion, 121st Field Artillery Regiment and the 829th Engineer Company, from Chippewa Falls, will be deployed on separate missions, officials said.

Battery A will be providing artillery fire support for coalition forces operating in Afghanistan, according to the release. They will be the second Wisconsin Army National Guard artillery batter to conduct a combat fires mission in Afghanistan. The Plymouth-based Battery B of the 1st Battalion, 121st Field Artillery Regiment was the first in 2013.

Officials said approximately 80 soldiers will be deployed with the high mobility artillery rocket system unit.

The 829th will deploy more than 160 soldiers to southern Afghanistan to conduct a deconstruction and material reclamation mission, according to the release. The unit will be tearing down forward operating bases and reclaiming materials and equipment accumulated by coalition forces throughout the war. Their objective will be to deny the enemy the use of those materials and to recover U.S. property.

Battery A was previously deployed to Iraq in 2006-07 and in 2009-10, officials said. The 829th was previously deployed to Iraq in 2003 and 2009.

Both units will conduct pre-mobilization training at Fort Bliss in Texas, according to the release. The Wisconsin National Guard is planning sendoff ceremonies for both units and will announce that information closer to deployment.