CRAIG T. KOJIMA / CKOJIMA@STARBULLETIN.COM
With their guns at their feet, soldiers Justin Freitas and John Bullock waited yesterday to board their plane for departure.
A hundred more
head for IraqThe Schofield soldiers leave
with high morale and
a sense of duty
About 100 Schofield Barracks soldiers deployed to Iraq yesterday with a sense of duty to America, the Iraqi people and the world -- coupled with regret at leaving families.
Their departure was the second planeload in the 25th Infantry Division's deployment of 4,000 troops to Iraq that began Tuesday and continues until Jan. 26.
Along with 4,500 Schofield troops bound for Afghanistan beginning in March, the year-long deployments are the largest for the 25th since the Vietnam War.
The soldiers leaving yesterday have jobs ranging from field artillery, engineering and military police duty to support and logistics.
As each soldier dressed in desert camouflage fatigues stepped up to a chartered Continental Airlines jet at 2:40 p.m., he or she got a handshake, salute and words of encouragement from Maj. Gen. Eric Olson, commander of the 25th and the U.S. Army in Hawaii, and Commanding Sgt. Maj. Frank Ashe.
Capt. Brian Donahue, of the 540th Quartermaster Company, said his troops' morale is high, though they also are nervous.
"I think everyone would be nervous going over there," he said.
CRAIG T. KOJIMA / CKOJIMA@STARBULLETIN.COM
Soldiers from the 25th Infantry Division arrived at Hickam Air Force Base yesterday for deployment to Iraq. Antionne Bell and others caught a catnap before boarding their plane.
"We're ready to go do our job and come back home," said Ronika Robledo, of the 540th.
In a year, she said, "I'd like to turn on CNN and see an improved Iraq."
Kayle Willis, whose primary duty in Iraq will be doing laundry for fellow soldiers, put the best face on a year away from husband, Jamar, and 1-year-old daughter, Jamyra.
"I hope I have fun," said the Shorter, Ala., native. "I want to see Iraq, see what it looks like."
Sgt. Brandon Cruz, a mechanic from Guam, spent 2001 deployed in Korea away from his wife and two children. Facing another year-long separation, he said he will miss them, yet, "I'm excited to be able to do what I signed up to do."
Sgt. Guy McCreery, who mans a field artillery cannon, plans to re-enlist during his time in Iraq. He said he would be pleased to spend the majority of his time in Iraq providing humanitarian aid, like rebuilding schools and hospitals.
During Christmas vacation in his hometown of Portland, Ore., his Navy-veteran father was giving tips he picked up in Vietnam.
"He said, 'Keep your head down,' and, 'If you've gotta go in a helicopter, sit on your helmet."
State Rep Marcus Oshiro (D, Wahiawa) gave each departing soldier a tiny folded American flag on behalf of the Pocket Flag Project and local community groups.
The best thing people at home can do, said LaKeshia Smith, of the 540th Quartermaster Company, is "pray for us to do our mission and to return home safely. And pray for the soldiers already out there in harm's way."
