Just a month after returning to Fort Indiantown Gap from their Christmas break, many of the members of the 1st Battalion 112th Infantry are terra firma in Iraq. And with the last of the brigade expected to arrive Tuesday, reports indicate soldiers are doing well and getting acclimated to their new surroundings.

In a recent letter he received from the commander in Iraq, Capt. Steve Huckaby of the Pennsylvania National Guard Readiness Center in Cambridge Springs said the majority of the soldiers have departed from Kuwait and are already in-country and are transitioning. They will continue training with the soldiers that they will soon be replacing as the others leave Iraq, en route back home to the U.S.

Members of the 1-112th Infantry 56th Stryker Brigade are preparing to take over an existing operation. The 4,000 men and women from throughout Pennsylvania who comprise the brigade will work together to train Iraqi military, support the current military programs and help neutralize insurgent activity.

In mid-December, the troops from the area enjoyed a two-week leave. After the holiday break, they returned to Fort Indiantown Gap, and departed for more training in Fort Dix, N.J. After completion of their state-side training, they were deployed to Kuwait where they underwent additional operational training.

In the letter to Huckaby, brigade commander Col. Marc Ferraro said soldiers are “getting settled in” and are learning their new duties there. He said they were “learning the ins and outs of serving in Iraq.”

Here at home, Huckaby said things also seem to be going seamlessly. He said he spoke recently with several of the spouses, and they indicated that they are also “feeling pretty good” about how things are going there.

Community members have inquired about sending care packages to soldiers, and Huckaby said the most efficient way to ensure the package arrives is to send it directly to the armory in Cambridge Springs. Once it is received there, it will be forwarded to Iraq. If the item is for a particular soldier, it should be visibly marked for that person and it will be hand delivered by the chaplain.

Penni Schaefer can be reached at 724-6370 or by e-mail at pschaefer@meadvilletribune.com.

You can help:

All packages to the Pennsylvania Army National Guard 56th Stryker Brigade, 1st Battalion 112th Infantry should be sent directly to the Cambridge Springs armory. Once it is received, it will be forwarded to the soldier. Please address the package accordingly:

(Soldier’s full name)

In care of: 1st Battalion 112th Infantry