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2016

FORT BELVOIR, Va. — Senior leaders from state government

and the Maryland and Virginia National Guard joined family

members, friends and fellow Soldiers in bidding farewell to

approximately 80 Soldiers assigned to the Fort Belvoir-based 29th

Infantry Division as they began federal active duty Aug. 1, 2016, at

Fort Belvoir, Virginia. The Maryland and Virginia National Guard

Soldiers will provide mission command in the Middle East in

support of Operation Inherent Resolve.

Mission command is the term the U.S. Army uses to describe

the headquarters that provides direction and intent to subordinate

units in order for them to carry out their mission. That headquarters

also provides guidance and coordination for personnel, intelligence,

sustainment and communications support.

The group of Soldiers, also known as Task Force 29, are

expected to serve on federal active duty for up to 12 months. “We

have this mission because of what we have proven,” said Brig. Gen.

Blake C. Ortner, commander of the 29th Infantry Division. “We

have proven it during our training, and we have proven it during the

previous missions the 29th has taken on. They are trained, they are

capable and they are ready. They are going overseas to make things

safer for all of us.”

Deputy Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security

Curtis Brown, Virginia Senator Bryce Reeves, Delegate Richard

Anderson, Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General

of Virginia, Maj. Gen. Linda L. Singh, the Adjutant General of

Maryland, and Brig. Gen. Paul Griffin, Director of the Virginia

National Guard Joint Staff, were all on hand with Ortner to send

off the Soldiers.

“I stand here humbled and awed in my responsibility as the

commander of Task Force 29,” said Brig. Gen. Jeffrey P. Kramer,

29th ID Deputy Commanding General – Support who will command

the combined group of Maryland and Virginia Soldiers. “National

Guard Soldiers have been repeatedly called upon to defend their

states and nation, even before we were a nation, and they continue

to answer that call. These men and women are the best that our

nation has to offer, and we all owe them our deepest thanks and

gratitude.”

Williams put the mobilization in a historical perspective and

asked the Soldiers to keep in mind that the 100th anniversary of the

29th Infantry Division will be recognized during their deployment.

“InWorldWar I, it was the 29th Infantry Division that set the pace,”

Williams said. “Seventy-five years ago, it was the 29th that set the

pace in World War II. Here we are in this global war, and I have

every faith and confidence in you and that the 29th will set the pace

once again. Go forward, be safe and do great things for our nation.”

Singh shared that she had deployed with the 29th on two different

occasions, and said that she couldn’t think of a better division to

take on the upcoming mission. “I grew up in this division, I know

you are going to make us proud,” she said. “Take care of each other,

respect one another, look out for your battle buddies, just in case

someone needs your assistance. That’s what it takes to get through

a deployment.”

Brown thanked the Soldiers and their families on behalf of

Governor Terry McAuliffe and Secretary of Public Safety and

Homeland Security Brian Moran. “For the 29th, our message is

simple. We want to say thank you.” Brown said. “Thank you for

your service. Thank you for your dedication to excellence and

all you do to defend the values we hold so dear. You are an elite

fighting force, and the best trained and equipped in the history of

the world. We know that you will be successful in all that you do.”

Soldiers conducted a short training period at Fort Pickett in

early July, and they will conduct additional training in Texas before

heading overseas.

This is a short notice mission to fill a capabilities gap identified

by the U. S. Army and National Guard Bureau. The senior leadership

of the 29th ID, Maryland and Virginia National Guard understand

that a short notice mobilization creates significant challenges for

Soldiers, families and employers, and all the leaders expressed their

29th

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active duty

By Alfred Anderson Puryear