GOVERNOR CRIST LAUDS FLORIDA NATIONAL GUARD 53RD INFANTRY BRIGADE COMBAT TEAM DURING TRAINING CENTER VISIT

~~ ~Visits Camp Blanding as troops participate in Operation FALL CLASSIC~ ~~

November 16, 2009

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GOVERNOR'S PRESS OFFICE
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STARKE – Governor Charlie Crist today expressed his gratitude to the 2,450 members of the Florida National Guard’s 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team during a visit to Camp Blanding Joint Training Center in Jacksonville. In preparation for a year-long deployment in Iraq and Kuwait, troops are completing six weeks of pre-mobilization training, also referred to as “Operation FALL CLASSIC,” at the training center. The Governor also emphasized his support for the Caregiver and Veterans Health Services Act of 2009, federal legislation that aims to assist, improve and support healthcare for veterans.

“These brave service men and women are a great testament to the outstanding caliber of the Florida National Guard and our nation’s military,” said Governor Crist. “I am proud of what they are accomplishing as they complete their training and am confident they will continue to serve with honor and distinction.”

Operation FALL CLASSIC began on October 6th and is the final phase of training in anticipation of actual combat conditions overseas. Among other procedures, soldiers practice convoy security, detection of explosive devices, crowd control in a combat zone, and medical extraction simulations. Additionally, an Arabic-speaking role-playing exercise has been added as practice for real-life interactions with Iraq and Kuwait residents. The team of role-players, comprised mostly of Iraqi nationals and expatriates, wear typical Iraqi garb and speak Arabic in an effort to be as authentic as possible and accurately portray the typical interaction between Iraqi and Kuwaiti nationals and U.S. troops.

Governor Crist reiterated that increased veteran healthcare assistance is necessary because of the recent medical breakthroughs that have lowered combat fatalities, yet increase the number of survivors with permanent injuries who require long-term care. The Caregiver and Veterans Health Services Act of 2009 will ensure that the families and spouses of wounded veterans have the support they need to care for their loved ones. The legislation also provides assistance in the form of mental health counseling, training, modest financial support, and health care coverage.

Currently more than 3,000 Florida guardsmen and women are preparing to deploy to Iraq and Afghanistan to join the nearly 1,000 presently overseas. Since September 2001, more than 11,000 members of the Florida National Guard have served on federal active duty in support of the ongoing war on terror. Most recently, 432 troops with the 146th Signal Battalion and nearly 70 members of the 256th Medical Company returned home, concluding their year-long tours in Iraq.