At Ease - Wisconsin National Guard Department of Military Affairs

Look out, look out,
Here comes the 32nd
By Larry Sommers
At Ease Staff
Wisconsin sent off the Red Arrow with tears and smiles
Feb. 17, in the Wisconsin National Guard’s largest operational
deployment since World War II.
Thousands of family members and more than a hundred
civilian and military officials converged on Dane County
Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Madison to bid farewell to some
3,200 members of the 32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team on its
way to eventual service in Iraq.
“Not since World War II has so much been asked of our
soldiers,” said Gov. Jim Doyle. “Almost every Wisconsin county
can name a student, a mother, father, son or daughter, who is part
of the 32nd.”
The brigade is the direct descendant of the 32nd Division,
which earned its “Red Arrow” patch by piercing every enemy
line it faced in four World War I campaigns. The division also
logged 654 days of continuous combat in World War II, more
than any other U.S. Army division in any war, and played a key
role in capturing the enemy stronghold at Buna, Papua New
Guinea, in early 1943.
After service at Fort Lewis, Wash., during the Berlin Crisis
of 1961-62, the 32nd Division was deactivated and reorganized
as the 32nd Separate Infantry Brigade.
Since Sept. 11, 2001, many of the brigade’s units and
individuals have deployed for duty in Iraq or Afghanistan, to the
extent that approximately half of the Soldiers deploying now are
veterans of one or more recent combat deployments. More than
14,000 members of the National Guard and Reserve have been
called to active duty from Wisconsin communities since 9-11.
The brigade has trained intensively for its mission in
Operation Iraqi Freedom since it received the first alert order in
late 2007.
“They have been training relentlessly for 14 months now as
we mobilize under a new model that forces us to complete many
training requirements prior to entering active status,” said Col.
Steven J. Bensend, brigade commander. “We’re one of the first
brigade combat teams to do this…. That training was conducted
by our own NCOs and junior officers, instead of at mobilization
stations by active Army trainers.
“We know that the active Army can’t train our soldiers
any better than our own NCO force, now bulging with combat
veterans.”
The entire deploying force occupied the floor of the
coliseum, surrounded by family members and by the many
dignitaries honoring their service, including Doyle, U.S. Sens.
Herb Kohl and Russell Feingold, top national leaders of the other
reserve components, and dozens of mayors and state legislators.
Music was provided by the Wisconsin National Guard’s own
132nd Army Band, and also by members of the University of
Sgt. Jesse Wanta enters the Dane County Veterans Memorial Coliseum,
Feb. 17, for the 32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team send-off
ceremony. Photo by Sgt. Alfredo Rodriguez
Wisconsin Marching Band.
Military and civilian officials and representatives of
community groups signed “Wisconsin’s Military-Community
Covenant,” pledging the efforts of all to support the deploying
troops and their families (see sidebar).
During the 90-minute send-off ceremony, which was
televised live by Wisconsin Public Television, brigade Soldiers
cased the colors of two recently deactivated 32nd Brigade units
— Troop E, 105th Cavalry, and 2nd Battalion, 128th Infantry
— and unfurled the flag of a new unit — 1st Squadron, 105th
Cavalry — which inherits much of the distinguished lineage and
honors of the two deactivated units.
Brig. Gen. Don Dunbar, the adjutant general of Wisconsin,
put the deploying Soldiers’ commitment into a solemn historical
perspective.
“Many have said, ‘It’s not fair’ — And you know? It’s not
fair” Dunbar said. It’s never been fair. That’s what makes these
soldiers special.” n
16 at ease