Second OIF Deployment
The 39th Brigade Combat Team received an alert for a second deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in April 2007., The brigade had been home almost exactly two years since demobilizing after OIF II.
This deployment would be dramatically different from the first. Instead of deploying as a brigade combat team, the brigade was tasked with filling 28 unit requests for forces (URFs). These taskings involved supplying convoy security companies, force protection companies, base defense operations center and garrison command cells. Additionally, instead of an 18-month mobilization, with 12 months actually deployed to Iraq like the first tour, this mobilization would be for a total of 12 months, with approximately 10 months being deployed to the combat theater.
Once again the brigade found itself with a shortage of personnel to fill these taskings. Many of these shortages were caused by unresolved medical issues from the first deployment. This time the Arkansas National Guard decided not to ask for outside support, but met the brigade's need for personnel by task organizing the 217th Brigade Support Battalion from the 142nd Fires Brigade, and three companies from the 87th Troop Command to the 39th Brigade for this deployment.
The brigade was placed on duty in October 2007 to prepare for its second deployment to Iraq while still under state control. It began a 90-day pre-mobilization training period at Chaffee Maneuver Training Center (CMTC)on 1 October 2007. This allowed the unit to perform certain tasks in Arkansas and allowed unit members to be closer to their families for a longer period of time.
The brigade was placed in federal service in January 2008 and trained at Camp Shelby, Mississippi until it deployed to Iraq beginning in March 2008.
Read more about this topic: 39th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (United States)