Sgt. 1st Class Daniel Wheeler, on his third deployment, dispenses ammunition during a firing exercise at Camp Arifjan. View More Images from this story Visit the Photo Place

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Local unit soldiers on, to serve nation

Multiple deployments taking a toll on National Guard troops

Date published: 3/26/2008

By RUSTY DENNEN

CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait

What these Virginia National Guard soldiers have in common as the nation enters its fifth year of war in Iraq is that they've been deployed--either in combat or support roles--multiple times.

For the most part, it's voluntary, though some--not by choice--have had their duty extended by the Army.

Deployments over the past decade have included ongoing peace-keeping in the Balkans, Desert Shield and Desert Storm in 1990-91, homeland-security missions after the 2001 terrorist attacks, and most recently, border patrol in Arizona and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Many Guard soldiers keep signing up for action that they can't get in civilian life, while others just want out.

Spc. Virgil Swartz of Rhoadesville in Orange County joined the Army in 1989, just in time for Desert Shield, and then Desert Storm, serving with the 82nd Airborne in 1990-91.

"I read in the paper that soldiers were getting overworked. I decided to join, and they said you can come over to Iraq," said Swartz.

"The action was hot, but it's what I wanted to do at the time," he said.

Now he's into his third deployment to the Middle East.

"I've definitely thought about staying in," he said, but there are other priorities in his life--his wife, Alena, and 2-year-old daughter, Alice Faye.

When he returns in a couple of months, "I need to stay home for my daughter."

And his job as a police officer in Fairfax County is waiting for him.

Spc. Adam Brownback, 24, of Stafford County, joined the National Guard for the college benefits and is anxious to get back to school. He's not interested in another deployment and is already "playing overtime" with the Guard.

He was supposed to have been out on Jan. 8, but his service was extended.

He's been attending Longwood University and wants to get a degree in business management. His girlfriend is a teacher in Spotsylvania County.

SUNDAY: Port security is 24/7 job MONDAY: Army and Navy serve side-by-side YESTERDAY: Building relationships with Kuwaitis TODAY: SERVING IN KUWAIT Units from the Fredericksburg National Guard Armory now serving in Kuwait include: Delta Company, Headquarters Company and Fox Company. They arrived in the Persian Gulf nation in September and will be coming home in about two months. Free Lance-Star reporter Rusty Dennen and photographer Mike Morones recently returned after spending two weeks with the soldiers.

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Date published: 3/26/2008