GLASGOW —
For the Kentucky National Guard 1st Battalion, 623rd Field Artillery, deployment training is no quick feat. As the battalion counts down to its deployment to Jordan in February 2013, the weeks are filled with drills and training trips. In September, members of the battalion’s leadership staff spent 10 days in Jordan and Kuwait, learning about the upcoming deployment and the environment in which the soldiers will spend nine to 10 months.
The majority of the deployed 623rd will be training Jordanian military during their deployment, according to Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Timothy Fanter, who went on the 10-day trip last month. Jordan’s military lacks a strong non-commissioned officer core, Fanter said, and the country wants to expand its military practices. Some of the unit will be in Kuwait. The 623rd should be able to complete its mission and still be home in time for the holidays next year.
“For our families, it’s good timing for the mission,” Fanter said. “[The soldiers] get to have Thanksgiving and Christmas with their families, and in 2013 we’ll be back by then.”
Fanter wouldn’t categorize the upcoming deployment as a dangerous mission, he said. Instability in the region, especially in neighboring Syria, is something to be aware of, but Jordan is a pro-Western country.
“When we were over there, everybody was very outgoing to us, very friendly,” Fanter said.
The 10 days they spent in Jordan in September involved a lot of coordination with the unit that is currently stationed there, Fanter said. The current unit is National Guard as well, and only the second unit to be deployed on this type of training mission to Jordan.
“Jordan is a very new initiative,” Fanter said. “It’s trying to get the partnership started, kinda breaking new ground in that region.”
For the full story, see the print or e-edition of the Glasgow Daily Times Weekender.
Local News
October 12, 2012
KY National Guard 623rd Field Artillery unit trains for upcoming deployment to Jordan
- Local News
-
-
Puppy Love
Layne Goodman (left), Jolea Minix and Yatza Palacios socialize puppies at the Barren River Animal Welfare Association's third annual Camp BRAWA for kids. The camp provides the kids with education about responsible pet ownership and brings awareness to the services BRAWA offers. This was the largest summer camp yet with more than 25 kids particpating this year. All the money collected for the kids' participation in the summer camp goes back to the shelter to provide for the animals and other community educational programs.
-
Smiths Grove man still missing after 14 years
- It’s BEAR-ly believable
- Trautman: City budget will change
- Hospital moves to dismiss lawsuit
- Patton denies 2nd Barton motion
-
Obituaries: June 20, 2013
Teresa Matthews Boone - GLASGOW
Violet June Haiduc - GLASGOW
Elmer Norris - CENTER
McKinley Stonewall Jr. - FRANKFORT
Isaac ‘Frank’ Whitlow - SMITHS GROVE
- 11:42 EVENING UPDATE: 'All clear' at both bomb threat locations
- 9:20 Evening UPDATE Bomb threats, Walmart and ACK evacuated
- 12:43 AFTERNOON UPDATE: Man injured in Roseville Road wreck
- More Local News Headlines
-
James Gandolfini Dies at Age 51
Fmr. TWA Flight 800 Investigators Want New Probe
Raw: Heat, Spurs Back on Court Ahead of Game 7
Dolce and Gabbana Convicted of Tax Evasion
Paris, Prince Depositions Used in Jackson Trial
Coiffed Cattle Get Their Close-up
In Berlin, Obama Channels Cold War Activism
Police at Patriots Tight End's Home for 2nd Day
Fed Suggests Bond Purchases Could Slow
AP: DOJ Broke Own Rules Seizing Phone Records
Raw: Baby White Rhino Debuts at Australian Zoo
Time Lapse: Rebuilding Bridge Post-collapse
Ohio Woman Accuses 3 of Holding Her Captive
Hunt for Ex-Teamster Boss Hoffa's Remains Ends
