SAUGERTIES, N.Y. -- Ashiki Mack is a member of the 854th Engineer Battalion. He’s one of about 200 Army Reserve soldiers who left Saugerties Monday for a year-long deployment.
The moments Mack spent with his family before boarding the bus were special.
"My backbone right here,” said Mack, referring to his family.
He and his family are comforted knowing he'll serve his country.
The construction engineers are meeting the rest of the battalion at Fort Bliss, Texas, for training before heading to the Middle East in Support of Operation Spartan Shield.
"[We'll do] base camp infrastructure and repair, so U.S soldiers have better protection,” said Battalion Commander JP Plamondon.
This will be the first time the entire 854th Engineer Battalion has deployed since World War II. While the soldiers will miss their families, friends and careers, they said it's all worth it.
“We’re leaving our full-time jobs for a year to go serve our country. We’re citizen soldiers,” said Plamondon.
"Just the pride in it. The camaraderie you meet with the different soldiers from different backgrounds from all over the country," said Captain Jason Harmon, the Forward Support Commander.