Hundreds Of Tennessee Soldiers Return To Iraq

FT. SILL, Okla. - The elite Air Cavalry Squadron with the Tennessee National Guard left this week for pre-deployment training. For many of the soldiers this will be their second or even third tour overseas.

More than 600 soldiers from Tennessee, all members of the 230th Air Cavalry Squadron, gathered in formation for their last stop at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma.

For many soldiers this was a second or third tour of duty pulling them from jobs and their families.

The Tennessee Army National Guard hosted a contingent of state lawmakers and media for the soldiers'.

Blackhawk pilot Ricky Tackett of Ashland City was on his third tour of duty.

"My first two tours I was on active duty. It was easier -- you expect it. There are guys from the guard for a second time. I'm sure it's much harder on them," said Tackett.

Blackhawk crew member Jodie Beauchamp from Clarksville will be on his second tour, but said he had no complaints.

"We have a mission to do - just get in the mind frame to do a mission," said Beauchamp.

Command Sgt. Major Steve Burnette of Mt. Juliet knew many may have expected only one tour and a second or third was not easy.

"Nobody held a gun to the soldiers to join the guard. It's volunteer," said Burnette. "They leave their homes, their churches, their communities. It's a great sacrifice."

The soldiers' families were at home in Tennessee, but the military extended family of local veterans was on hand to show support.

The soldiers will get a chance to say goodbye to their families. Most will get four-day passes for family visits before leaving for Iraq next month.

The mobilization of the 230th brings the total number of Tennessee National Guard Soldiers and Airmen in the War on Terrorism to more than 1,500.