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Soldiers from Roseburg's Charlie Company of the Oregon National Guard arrived in Iraq late last week.
Charlie Company soldiers were in Kuwait earlier this month for two weeks of training and after completing the training, they arrived in Iraq about four days ago.
The company, which includes Douglas County soldiers as well as soldiers from other Oregon units, was scheduled to be stationed at Al Asad Air Base in Iraq, but has since been relocated.
The Roseburg-based unit is now stationed at Camp Korean Village, a small forward-operating base near the Syria-Iraq border. The soldiers are expected to remain at the base for the duration of their nine-and-a-half-month deployment.
The base isn't equipped with Internet or telephone service but should have access to such amenities soon, said Staff Sgt. Nick Marshall of Roseburg by phone Tuesday. Marshall is not stationed with the rest of Charlie Company; he is working in media affairs at Tallil Air Base, about 190 miles southeast of Baghdad.
Even though Charlie Company's location has changed, the unit's mission has not. The soldiers will provide convoy security, deliver supplies and help return unused equipment, Marshall said.
“The main thing is winning the hearts and minds of the Iraqi people,” Marshall said. “Now that they have their freedom, we want them to run their own country. We're just here to help them. We're partners in helping run this country safely.”
Charlie Company soldiers were in Kuwait earlier this month for two weeks of training and after completing the training, they arrived in Iraq about four days ago.
The company, which includes Douglas County soldiers as well as soldiers from other Oregon units, was scheduled to be stationed at Al Asad Air Base in Iraq, but has since been relocated.
The Roseburg-based unit is now stationed at Camp Korean Village, a small forward-operating base near the Syria-Iraq border. The soldiers are expected to remain at the base for the duration of their nine-and-a-half-month deployment.
The base isn't equipped with Internet or telephone service but should have access to such amenities soon, said Staff Sgt. Nick Marshall of Roseburg by phone Tuesday. Marshall is not stationed with the rest of Charlie Company; he is working in media affairs at Tallil Air Base, about 190 miles southeast of Baghdad.
Even though Charlie Company's location has changed, the unit's mission has not. The soldiers will provide convoy security, deliver supplies and help return unused equipment, Marshall said.
“The main thing is winning the hearts and minds of the Iraqi people,” Marshall said. “Now that they have their freedom, we want them to run their own country. We're just here to help them. We're partners in helping run this country safely.”
