FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. — Around 150 soldiers from the Pennsylvania National Guard will soon make their way to Europe to begin a year-long deployment.
On Wednesday, the soldiers were honored with a deployment ceremony at Fort Indiantown Gap in Lebanon County. The ceremony allowed friends and family to say goodbye to their loved ones before heading overseas.
“It is hard as a wife because you never want to say ‘goodbye,'" said Kaitlyn Hensley, the wife of Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Hensley. "But it’s only for a little while, so it’s more of a ‘see you later.’”
First Lieutenant Sam Mancuso, who is from Lancaster County, is among several soldiers who will be deployed for the first time as guardsmen. He said he has some nerves about the trip, but added that he is excited to continue a family tradition of service within the armed forces.
“Yeah, I’m really excited to be fulfilling a childhood dream to serve our country," said 1st Lt. Mancuso. "I’m so excited to instruct, but also to learn."
The soldiers of the 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team will be deploying to Germany, where they will teach basic combat skills to soldiers of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Company commander Christopher Costello said the mission will continue ongoing efforts to support Ukraine as it defends itself from Russia.
“We really built this training model for years since the formation of this country," said Col. Costello. "So we’re able to take some of those training methods and teach them to the Ukrainians."
As the soldiers prepare to help our allies, they look forward to staying in touch with their loved ones at home.
“I’ll talk to my mom and make sure I have that once a week call," said 1st Lt. Mancuso.