Fort Campbell’s 2nd Brigade Combat Team, Strike, readies Families and Soldiers for Deployment

Written by Sgt. Joe Padula
2nd Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs

Fort Campbell, KY – Fort Campbell Strike Families and the deploying Strike Soldiers of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), were given their pre-deployment brief at Fort Campbell’s Passenger Processing Facility, March 6th, as the Strike Brigade prepares its Security Force Assistance Teams for their mission to Afghanistan’s Regional Command-East.

“Your Strike Soldier and the teams they represent really constitute a new strategic capability that will make a decisive difference in transitioning the Afghan National Security Forces to assume full responsibility for the security and governance of Afghanistan,” said Col. Dan Walrath, the Strike Brigade’s commander, as he addressed the Strike families during the opening of the brief. “Your Strike Soldier, husband, spouse, in coordination with U.S. brigade combat teams, will train, assist and advise the ANSF in RC-East.”

Walrath’s intent during the brief was to inform the Families and Soldiers about the Strike mission while operating in Afghanistan and to notify the attendees about protocol and services provided for those involved with the deployment. The American Red Cross, legal assistance and the unit ministry team were some of the groups on hand to discuss their topics. The Families welcomed the useful information

“The way the information was presented made it easy to absorb and it was great having each different group coming in to talk about each aspect,” said Erica Wenger, wife of Capt. Jay Wenger, commander of Strike’s Company D, 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment. “This is great for those going through a deployment for the first time. I would of liked something like this for our first deployment, that’s for sure.”

Most of the deploying SFAT members are made up of the brigade’s Leaders and experienced personnel, who have multiple deployments under their belts. They also found the brief to be important.

“This reminds us of each step needed to take making sure everything is in order,” said Capt. Jay Wenger, who has experienced multiple deployments. “Not necessarily new information was brought out, but the brief made sure I was tracking what my wife needs to have and know.”

Families and Soldiers were provided the know how and the tools in order to stay up-to-date, taken care of, plus informs with the deploying Strike teams during their new mission, as the brigade continues the fight to keep its loved ones out of the dark.

“With a brand new mission comes a brand new communication system for our spouses and this is very different then anything we have done before,” said Christine Walrath, the brigade’s Family Readiness Group leader. “It provides assurance to the family and it also provides assurance to the Soldier, because he knows his family is being taken care of. Keeping the Strike Families informed is extremely important.”