Mobilization Ceremonies for Smithfield and Williamston North Carolina National Guard 30th Heavy Brigade Combat Team Units

Mobilization ceremonies are set for Monday, December 1 for 1st Battalion, 252nd Combined Arms Battalion, Company B, based in Smithfield with a Detachment in Nashville and Company A based in Williamston with a Detachment in Woodland. These units are part of the North Carolina National Guard's 30th Heavy Brigade Combat Team (HBCT).

Approximately 4,000 soldiers from the 30th HBCT are deploying in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The 30th Brigade was the first National Guard Brigade Combat Team called to duty in Iraq in 2003 and was the first National Guard Brigade Combat Team to operate as a stand alone brigade with its own area of operation in Iraq. The 30th returned to NC in January and February of 2005. During their mission in eastern Diyala and Salah Ad Din Provinces they built schools, trained the Iraqi Security Forces, established Joint Command Centers with Iraqi Security Forces and patrolled the Iranian border with Iraqi Border Patrol. They engaged in numerous combat operations suffering five killed in action and about one hundred twenty wounded in action, most of those returned to duty.

The two ceremonies are scheduled at the following locations and times:
* Company B, 1st Battalion, 252nd Combined Arms Battalion, Johnston
Community College, 245 College Road, Smithfield, NC at 10:00am
* Company A, 1st Battalion, 252nd Combined Arms Battalion, Eastern
Agricultural Center, 2900 NC Highway 125 South Williamston, NC at 2:00pm

A total of 26 Ceremonies are planned for the brigade's units that are stationed throughout North Carolina. Additional Media Advisories will follow.
Media are invited to attend all ceremonies where soldiers and families will be available for interviews.