Local Soldiers Ready for Afghanistan Deployment

Long Beach Airport staff and volunteers were honored when the 305th Engineering Company, Army Reserve departed from Long Beach on Thursday, Feb. 13.  

(left to right) Public Affairs Kim McMahon, Volunteer Barbara Seymore, Public
Affairs Eileen Shock, Volunteers Jack Towne and Gloria Curry

Cookies and pom poms ready

Buses arrived from Camp Pendleton that morning. The staff was ready with cookies and other goodies to pass out before they boarded. The reserve group were headed to Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas for training. After two months of training the group of nearly 150 soldiers will then be deployed to Afghanistan for about nine months.

Volunteers passed out sunscreen and playing cards from JetBlue Airways

Smiles made the event a huge success!

Lined up and ready for duty

Actual boots on the ground at LGB

White chocolate macadamia and oatmeal cookies were on the menu

Army Reserve: Strong today, strong tomorrow

Soldiers also received cranberry juice and bottled water

Super smiles and a peace sign from three of the 305th Engineering Company - Army Reserve

There's not enough thanks... but thank you for your service

Farewell!

See ya soon!

Bon voyage!