NM National Guard troops deployed to monitor Israel/Egypt peace treaty
Posted at: 01/27/2012 5:55 PM
| Updated at: 01/27/2012 10:47 PM
By: Stuart Dyson, KOB Eyewitness News 4
About 400 New Mexico National Guard soldiers will soon be on their way to Egypt, as part of a multi-national mission to help keep the peace between Egypt and Israel.
The troops are from the 1st Battalion of the 200th Infantry Division - the same men and women who helped fight wildfires around the state last summer, and came to the rescue of thousands during the deep freeze cold snap last winter.
It's 7,000 miles from Albuquerque to the Sinai peninsula where the New Mexico soldiers will spend at least 9 months.
Today brought farewell ceremonies in Farmington and Albuquerque, and there will be another one in Las Cruces tomorrow.
"I want to look every one of you in the eye," said Gov. Susana Martinez to troops gathered at Manzano High School in Albuquerque, "I want to tell you that we love you and that we value you and all the work that you have done for us."
For families it means long months of separation.
For the soldiers it almost certainly does not mean action.
They will be monitoring the way Israel and Egypt comply with a peace treaty hammered out 30 years ago.
"These are American soldiers," said Lt. Col. Miguel Aguilar, the battalion commander. "They're being asked to do a mission where really they're just observing and they're not actually to get involved with anything that's actually happening."
Soldiers set to be deployed said they are prepared.
"This is something that we're trained for", said Staff Sgt. Anthony Broussard. "It's one of those things that you prepare for and when you get it it's a little surreal at times. You gotta get your feet on the ground and run with it."
The tying of yellow ribbons on a tree topped off today's ceremonies - the symbol of remembrance for soldiers far from home.
Some consolation - the New Mexico Guard always takes along chile and fixings for New Mexico cuisine when they go overseas - tonight it's a cool 60 degrees in the vast desert of the Sinai.
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