MIDDLETOWN, Pa. –
More than 250 Soldiers from the 1067th Transportation Co., 228th Transportation Battalion, 213th Regional Support Group departed Pennsylvania from Harrisburg International Airport Nov. 30 to begin their pre-mobilization training in Fort Hood, Texas, ahead of a deployment to the Middle East in support of Operation Spartan Shield.
The 272 Soldiers will provide transportation and logistical support to units within Kuwait and the operational area of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) during their approximately year-long deployment.
“I’m excited and happy for this company, that they’re getting a chance to do this deployment," said Col. Angelo Catalano, 213th RSG commander. “They are part of a larger deterrent force that we have in the Middle East, so it’s not just about the mission of one company, it’s about the mission of CENTCOM, it’s about the mission of the Army.”
The 1067th TC Soldiers will spend approximately one month training at Fort Hood before departing for the Middle East to begin their mission.
“Being that it’s my first deployment I am excited, and a lot of us will be in the same boat, but the camaraderie at every echelon is very strong and we have a tight-knit group of Soldiers, so I believe our time over there will be spent well,” said 1st Lt. Michael Demboski, unit movement officer with the 1067th TC and a Carlisle, Pa., resident.
As the movement officer, Demboski is in charge of the movement of all unit personnel and equipment, which he acknowledged is a great responsibility, but one he is looking forward to taking on.
“We’re excited, we’ve done the training, we’re ready, we feel like we’ve been prepared, and I’m going with the biggest, and in my opinion the greatest, company in Pennsylvania,” said Capt. Broades Sample III, commander of the 1067th TC and a Philadelphia native.
Sample expressed his gratitude to be in command for the deployment, to his staff, his mentors, and said his primary goal is to return home safely with everyone next year.