Then we complete our training, and then we’ll fly out after our training is complete to Kuwait from there.”

Captain Duitsman explained the skills of the 434th. “We’re a CBRN company so it’s chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, so if any, like WMD or chemical incident were to happen or somebody to use chemical warfare we’re there to help either [decontaminate] and recon to figure out where the actual contaminants are and kind of mitigate some situations if need be. If troops were to be in harm’s way, we’d go decon them and kind of clean them up.”

Each battalion is assigned some kind of animal nickname, the 434th’s is the Dragon. Dragon Soldiers. The Dragon Soldiers have two weeks to finalize their business at home before they return to Hastings to continue training. On June 6th, they will be bussed to the airport to fly to Fort Hood where they will receive mission specific training. From there, they will fly to Kuwait for a nine-month deployment.

“I am proud the members of this unit and their willingness to go above and beyond to prepare for this mission,” said Captain Duitsman, “We have had almost two years of training leading up to this event. I am confident in the abilities and professionalism of these Soldiers.”

No official time was given for the deployment piece on June 6th. When the information is made available, it will be shared in hopes to generate thousands of people lining the streets of Hastings to see our soldiers off and wish them a safe deployment.