Delaware National
Guard
Det. 2 280th Signal Bn.
deploys in support of
Noble Eagle By Maj. Jane Zak, 198th Signal Battalion
The 137 members of this newly named detachment of the 280th Signal Battalion were activated on January 30 in support of Noble Eagle. The unit’s mission is to provide Force Protection in the state of Delaware. Specifically, they will provide site security for federal facilities such as Dover Air Force Base and the New Castle County Airport.
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| Spc. Michael Kivler, deployed from Co. B 280th Headquarters Company, signals for oncoming vehicles to stop at the identification checkpoint. Photo by Officer Candidate Deborah Welch. |
At their initial briefing held in Dover on January 2, Maj. Gen. Francis Vavala, Adjutant General for the Delaware National Guard, emphasized that "First and foremost we are soldiers- our mission is not only to communicate but to secure areas and operate as infantry soldiers."
Reflecting on the fact that the 280th Signal Battalion is the high priority unit in the state, he continued, "Who is better suited to add value and relavancy to the Army, our state, and the Air Force? This is a great mission for this unit." Col. Scott Wuesthoff, Commander of the 436th Airlift Wing, Dover Air Force Base, spoke briefly about the mission and training that would be provided to the unit by his base. He concluded by saying that this was a great partnership and an outstanding opportunity for the Air Force and Army to work together.
The following weekend, the soldiers began two weeks of mobilization tasks at home station. Upon completion, the unit prepared for departure to Fort Dix, NJ, their mobilization station. The unit’s deployment ceremony was held on February 2 at the 198th Readiness Center in Newport. Family members, friends, military members and community leaders attended the ceremony to honor the deploying soldiers.
Speakers at the event included: The Honorable Joseph R. Biden Jr., United States Senator; The Honorable Thomas R. Carper, United States Senator; The Honorable John Carney, Lieutenant Governor of Delaware; Major General Frank Vavala, Adjutant General for the Delaware National Guard; and Brigadier General James J. Dougherty, Jr., Commander of the 261st Signal Brigade.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, the soldiers departed to complete final requirements at their mobilization station. After a follow-on training period at Dover Air Force Base, the unit assumed the security mission at designated locations in the state on February 25.
Mobilization Time Line
| 5_January | Unit receives initial briefing |
| 11_January | Mobilization event begins for 150 members selected for mission |
| 28_January | Det.2 280th Signal Battalion is activated in support of Noble Eagle |
| 2_February | Deployment Ceremony is held, unit deploys to mobilization station |
| 25_February | Unit assumes security mission at designated locations in Delaware |
Photo Gallery of Mobilization Time
Line
Unit receives initial
briefing
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Sgt. 1st Class Doug Mulderig, First Sgt. Reggie Powers, and 2nd Lt. Heriberto Valle review the tentative deployment roster prior to formation. Photo by Maj. Jane Zak. |
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Lt. Col. Pam Gonce, Battalion Commander of the 280th Signal Battalion briefs the unit on the upcoming homeland defense mission. Photo by Maj. Jane Zak. |
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HHC, Det1, Company A and Company B of the 280th Signal Battalion muster on The Green in Dover prior to reporting for the mission briefing. Photo by Maj. Jane Zak. |
Mobilization event begins for
150 members selected for mission
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Private 1st Class Brandon Boyer, Co B, 280th Signal Battalion reviews his Personnel Qualification Record (PQR) for accuracy with a mobilization team representative. Photo by Maj. Jane Zak. |
Say Aaah: Staff Sgt. Raul Gonzalez, HHC, 280th Signal Battalion
completes his dental record review with Staff Sgt. Hodges Williamson
Jr., a dental assistant with the Delaware National Guard Medical
Command. Photo by Maj. Jane Zak.
Det.2 280th Signal
Battalion is activated in support of Noble Eagle
Photos by
Maj. Frank Santore
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Deployment Ceremony is held, unit deploys to mobilization station
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MG Frank Vavala addresses the soldiers and their families at the Deployment Ceremony. Photo by Maj. Jane Zak. |
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Deploying members of the 280th Signal Battalion present arms as the National Anthem is played at the beginning of the ceremony . Photo by Maj. Jane Zak. |
Unit assumes security mission
at designated locations in Delaware
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Spc. Michael Kivler conducts an identification check at the entrance of one of Delaware's military installations. Photo by Officer Candidate Deborah Welch. |
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Some soldiers deployed in support of Force Protection are guarding the front gate at the Air National Guard installation entrance in New Castle. Photo by Officer Candidate Deborah Welch. |
In the aftermath of the events that occurred on September 11, 2001, President George W. Bush, authorized the mobilization and deployment of the Ready Reserve under a partial mobilization. (Executive Order 13223 authorized September 14, 2001). Operation Noble Eagle was the official name given to this homeland defense mission. Today, members of the military reserves from the Air Force, Army, Marines, Navy and Coast Guard continue to provide port operations, medical support, engineer support and general civil support and homeland defense to defend against further terrorist attacks on the United States.