PHOENIX -- Eighteen specialized members of the Arizona Army National Guard will be heading out for training Sunday before being deployed to Iraq.
According to National Guard Sgt. Ed Balaban, the soldiers are members of two teams and come from Peoria, Phoenix, Prescott and Tucson.
The Logistic Military Advisor Teams will first go to Fort Polk, Louisiana for 60-70 days of training before departing for Iraq, Balaban said.
"These teams are unique in that they are the first of their kind coming from Arizona," said Lt. Col. John Cloyd, the officer-in-charge for one of the deploying teams. "These teams were formed by selecting specialized soldiers in the Arizona National Guard. Everyone deploying is considered an expert in their particular field."
The send-off will be held Sunday at the 52nd Street Armory at 7 a.m.
Adjutant General and Commanding General of the Arizona National Guard, Army Major General Hugo E. Salazar, will lead the send-off ceremony that will include family members, friends, fellow soldiers and other well-wishers, including the Arizona Patriot Guard Riders.
The LMATs' mission is to be imbedded into Iraqi military units to train and assist with their logistics programs. The LMATs will act as mentors for the new Iraqi units, Balaban said.
According to Balaban, over 600 Arizona Army and Air National Guard men and women are still serving on federal active duty in Iraq, Afghanistan and within the continental U.S.
