63rd Expeditionary Signal Battalion deploys

By Sgt. Dianne CarterDecember 21, 2012

63rd Expeditionary Signal Battalion Deploys
Captain Alexander S. Hoffman, commander of C Company, 63rd Signal Battalion (Expeditionary), 35th Signal Brigade, XVIII Airborne Corps, stands at parade rest with the rest of a platoon size element of C Company before the beginning of their departure... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT GORDON, Ga. - The 35th Signal Brigade units have a rich history of being expeditionary by culture: trained, ready and prepared to deploy anywhere in the world to achieve mission success on arrival.

A departure ceremony was held for a platoon-size element of soldiers assigned to the 63rd Signal Battalion (Expeditionary), 35th Signal Brigade, XVIII Airborne Corps, Dec. 7 in Gym 3 at Fort Gordon, Ga.

The C Company soldiers are ready to depart for a nine-month deployment to the Middle East to provide long haul communications throughout the Central Command area of responsibility.

"Third Platoon's Tactical Troposcatter (signal range extender) communication system teams have been training for the past six months in preparation for this mission. They recently completed a culminating training exercise with 67th Signal Battalion (Expeditionary) to be validated for mission readiness," said 1st Sgt. Walter L. Branyan of C Company.

The CTE is the last major training exercise a unit does before deployment to evaluate Soldiers skills and communication skills to access total mission readiness. This involves team building and accessing a unit's ability to provide communication support services in a tactical environment.

Sgt. 1st Class Richard O. Jorolemon, platoon sergeant of 3rd Plt., said he is excited about the good opportunity of the upcoming deployment. "We have a mixture of soldiers with multiple deployment experience and soldiers preparing for their first deployment," said Jorolemon.

Kay Cox, grandmother to Spc. Mallory Kaleta, came to the ceremony to support her granddaughter's deployment. She said her granddaughter has already deployed once to Afghanistan. Her husband, Spc. David Kaleta, another 35th Signal Brigade Soldier, supports her deployment and plans to keep her informed of family events and send care packages while she is deployed.

"I feel more than confident in their abilities for this mission. The Families are ready. The Soldiers are ready. We have a great Family Readiness Group to support the families while the Soldiers are deployed," said Capt. Alexander S. Hoffman, Commander of C Company.