ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, November 28, 1996 TAG: 9611290036
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A1 EDITION: HOLIDAY
SOURCE: STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS
A Salem-based U.S. Army Reserve unit is one of 26 National Guard and Reserve units nationwide told this week to prepare for deployment to Bosnia after Christmas. The forces will replace U.S. military troops already in the region.
The 2174th Garrison Support Unit, a non-combat unit, will step up training at its Salem headquarters in preparation of a possible deployment to Europe, said Maj. Gregory M. Yesko, a spokesman for the 99th Regional Support Command, which leads a five-state area of Army Reserve units.
Yesko said the 2174th Garrison unit would be deployed to Germany, replacing U.S. troops there that were sent to Bosnia. But once the troops were in Europe, the U.S. military command in Europe could relocate some of them to Bosnia if necessary, Yesko said.
The 2174th Garrison unit is mostly administrative and logistical specialists with a mission to assist other units in mobilization and deployment. Yesko said most of the 110 Reservists in the unit live within a 50-mile radius of its Salem headquarters.
If sent to Bosnia, the 2174th would be among 8,500 U.S. soldiers who will be part of NATO's 31,000-member "Sustainment Force" that will relieve peacekeeping troops returning from the region. They are expected to face a far less hostile reception than the U.S. troops sent there a year ago.
``The situation is very different today'' than when U.S. troops first entered the region a year ago, Defense Secretary William Perry said Wednesday.
Perry spoke in Naples before heading to Bosnia, where he will share Thanksgiving turkey with U.S. Army and Russian soldiers taking part in joint peacekeeping patrols.
To help ensure a smooth transition from peacekeeping force to another, Perry will be briefed on NATO plans for the new mission today by the alliance's top commander, U.S. Army Gen. George Joulwan. He will also meet with U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Montgomery Meigs.
The NATO allies have determined that a second year of an international peacekeeping mission is necessary not only to separate feuding Muslims, Croats and Serbs, but also to rebuild the war-ravaged region. President Clinton agreed, despite his one-year limit on the initial mission, and gave the go-ahead for Americans to take part. The deadline for the current force expires Dec.20.
Perry said the size of the new Bosnia force was not ``figured out in Washington,'' but by NATO's military leaders who are well aware of the dangers still lurking in Bosnia. Perry said he has ``great confidence'' in their judgment.
Staff writer S.D. Harrington contributed information to this story.
LENGTH: Medium: 54 linesby CNB