Two Utah-based military units are preparing for a move to Fort Bliss, Texas. One is apparently about to be called into active duty while the second is a previously mobilized group that will train them and other newly activated soldiers.
The 148th Field Artillery of the Utah National Guard received notification in early March its 150 members may be mobilized. Today, the likelihood is high that they will be called up soon, going through training in Fort Bliss until October or later and then heading to a Louisiana base before flying overseas.
Meanwhile, the Army's "Dagger Brigade" — training experts of the 2nd Brigade, 91st Division — is about to leave Fort Carson, Colo., for Fort Bliss. About 100 members of the brigade are reservists from the Salt Lake City area, while others are from Idaho.
Most of the Dagger Brigade members have been stationed at Fort Carson since January 2003. But some are newly activated. The brigade is being sent to Fort Bliss "to support the mission in training," said Master Sgt. Pat Valdez, Tooele, a spokesman for the unit.
The 116th Cavalry is a large combat team that apparently will be activated and trained at Fort Bliss. The 116th has organizations in Utah, Idaho, Montana and Oregon, according to the Internet site www.globalsecurity.org.
The Utah National Guard's 148th Field Artillery, part of the 116th, has about 150 members. Guard officers are expecting a mobilization call for the unit within about two weeks, said spokeswoman Maj. Lorraine Januzelli. But that could change, she emphasized.
According to the Guard, the artillerists are based in Logan, Brigham City and Camp Williams. Globalsecurity.org says the group's Battery B is located in Logan, while some other batteries are from Idaho.
Meanwhile, the Utah National Guard announced in early March almost 3,500 soldiers from 14 states, members of the 116th or associated units, received notice of the possible call-up.
Besides their stint at Fort Bliss, Valdez said, members of the 116th are expected to undergo training at the Joint Readiness Training Center in Fort Polk, La.
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