For the first time since World War II, an entire Kansas National Guard unit has been called up for overseas duty.
Members of Lawrence-based Companies B and E of the 2nd Battalion, 137th Infantry will be among about 400 Kansas guardsmen sent to Europe for support duties in Operation Enduring Freedom, the war on terrorism.
Formal announcement of the deployment comes almost a month after area guardsmen were warned by a commander to prepare for European deployment. At that time, the Kansas Adjutant General's Department refused to confirm the unit was being activated.
During the Vietnam War, the 2nd Battalion was sent to Fort Carson, Colo., according to the Adjutant General's Department. Some individual unit members were then sent to Vietnam.
"Normally, they piecemeal us out," said Capt. Brian Keating, company commander for Echo Company in Lawrence. "This time, we're staying (together) as a battalion."
Sixty-five members of the 2nd Battalion, 137th Infantry returned in October from a 4 1/2 month mission in Saudi Arabia guarding Patriot missile sites. Thirty-five of those soldiers will be among those sent to Europe, according to the Adjutant General's Department.
The soldiers expect to leave in early February for Fort Stewart, Ga., where they will train for two to three weeks, then deploy to Europe for up to six months, Keating said.
Joy Moser, spokesperson for the adjutant general, said about 150 soldiers drill in Lawrence with Companies B and E. But she wouldn't say how many were headed to Europe.
Keating said about 80 percent of the soldiers who drill in Lawrence would be deployed.
"Our job as an individual company will be pulling security for the different bases in the European theater," Keating said
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