FORT HOOD - A small group from the Texas Army National Guard will head to Afghanistan later this month for a historic deployment.
A select group of less than 100 senior level soldiers with the 36th Infantry Division Headquarters will make up Task Force Arrowhead. This will mark the first time a National Guard unit will take over a regional command from an active duty component in Afghanistan within a combat environment. The unit, led by Brigadier General Lee Henry, will take responsibility of the Train, Advise and Assist Command - South (TAAC-South).
"While this may be the first time for a National Guard unit to assume a regional command within Afghanistan, it's not the first time the 36th has risen to the call," said BG Henry during a deployment ceremony Tuesday morning on Fort Hood.
These National Guard soldiers based out of Austin have been training on Fort Hood for the last month, but preparation for the deployment started last summer with a massive War Fighting Exercise. In addition to their training, Henry says about 75% of the team deploying has previously been part of an agricultural deployment to Afghanistan or security force advisory team.
"So they have awareness of the culture in Afghanistan to give them a basic foundation, but they don't take anything for granted just based on their experience," said Henry about the ongoing training. "They really put us through the paces, so we could get as close to an understanding of some scenarios we would be faced with when we go to Afghanistan."
With less than 100 soldiers from the Headquarters deploying, many of the 36th ID Headquarters soldiers at home will continue to work and coordinate with the unit downrange to carry out the mission. Task Force Arrowhead will also collaborate with multiple units while in Afghanistan to help with train, advise and assist the Afghan Security Forces including soldiers and officers.
"We are glad to be given the opportunity to support the active mission," said Henry.
