SYRACUSE, NY (WSYR-TV) - Nearly 400 soldiers with the New York Army National Guard left home on Sunday to train for another mission.
By April, some members of the 27th Brigade Combat Team will make their way to Kuwait for security operations. Others are moving into unknown territory.
"They are all going to a Cent Com area of responsibility, or the vast majority of them. But, what country they end up in and what mission is set, we're going to figure that out in the weeks ahead,” said Brigade Commander Col. Geoffrey J. Slack.
Amid a sea of hugs and salutes at Hancock Air National Guard Base, Sergeant Luke Zuercher is having a tough time letting his baby boy out of sight.
"He is 14 months old now, So, it will be the first time that I will be deploying with a child at home. So, there is a little anticipation there,” said Zuercher.
Families stood beside their soldiers, preparing to share the sacrifice. Girlfriends, parents and babies will soon offer support from a distance.
"Well I am proud of him. As any parent, you know, I kind of think he has done his time. This is his fourth time over. But, you know we are very fortunate to have people like him who are willing to serve,” said Zuercher’s father Tom.
"I think it is going to be really tough to have him and the baby separated. They are like two peas in a pod, so I don't know how they are going to be without each other,” said Zuercher’s girlfriend Katie Micheletti.
Across New York State, 1,800 soldiers with the 27th Brigade Combat Team were mobilized this weekend.
They will get assignments after training at Camp Shelby in Mississippi. Their last deployment was three years ago in Afghanistan.
