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1500 Alabama Men and Women Serving Overseas, More on the Way
Saturday, family and friends said goodbye to 260 members of the National Guard.
The Homewood based unit will make sure supplies and troops get in and out of Afghanistan. Here's a look at the mission by the numbers.
They trained one year for the critical mission.
"I'm excited. I'm anxious. I'm ready to get there and do the job," said Sgt. Lashaunda Lewis of Montgomery on the eve of her first deployment.
Two brothers are taking on the challenge together.
"There's a bond that you form in combat that you can't find anywhere else," said Cpt. Dale Estes of Millbrook.
"We've had uncles in Vietnam and World War II together, so it's kind of a tradition," said Col. Gregory Estes of St. Clair County.
It's a third deployment to Afghanistan for Col. Estes.
"The strategy is set forth, and we do the job no matter who the Commander in Chief is," said Col. Estes of his first tour under President Obama's leadership.
Four weeks will be spent training at Fort Hood in Texas before 260 soldiers from five states will head to Afghanistan for 298 days.
"Our headquarters will be responsible for all the supply and services for Afghanistan. If the president should decide to give us additional troop strength, we'll coordinate not only the movement of those troops but all the supply and all the logistics," said BG Reynold Hoover, the 135th's commander.
From there, the numbers multiply.
The unit will join 1500 Alabama men and women already overseas in Iraq (web | news) and Afghanistan.
They will deliver one million bottles of water, two million gallons of fuel, and six million meals to the troops each month.
But the infinitely hard part is ensuring fallen soldiers make it home.
"You are never prepared to handle that," said Sgt. Lewis.
"They will get respect they deserve, and it won't be a problem at all get them back to their family like it should be," said Col. Estes.
That brings the soldiers back to the number one - one ceremony, one overwhelming crowd, and one more day at home.
"For everyone to come out and show support, motivates us," said Sgt. Lewis.
The unit will leave Sunday morning for Texas and is scheduled to arrive in Afghanistan the second week of December.
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