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Spc. David S. Cavitt, Spc. Dakotah K. Bradley, Private 1st Class Blake V. Huff and Spc. Mathew R. Nicholson do the "John Wall" dance in front of a makeshift University of Kentucky Flag at Contingency Operating Location Q-West, Iraq. The Soldiers are assigned to the 2113th Transportation Company which is attached to the 1st Squadron, 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The Soldiers will cheer on the Wildcats tonight from Iraq via Webcasts.
By: 1st Lt. DesiRee L. Nicely
1st Squadron, 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment
Editor’s Note: When not wearing the Kentucky National Guard uniform, 1st Lt. DesiRee Nicely is a police officer at the University of Kentucky. While stationed in Iraq, she watches the UK games via the Web. “I’m used to watching them from the floor of Rupp Arena in front of a thunderous student section wearing head-to-toe blue. But now that I’m in Iraq, it’s even more touching to see proud Kentucky men and women in head-to-toe Army green, cheering for their home team,” she said.
CONTINGENCY OPERATING LOCATION Q-WEST, Iraq — March Madness has spread all the way to Iraq, where Kentucky National Guard Soldiers from the Paducah-based 2113th Transportation Company have filled in their brackets and cheered on their beloved University of Kentucky Wildcats – proving that True Blue Fans truly are the best in the world.
“For the games that weren’t televised in Iraq, I had my wife Jenifer put the Webcam on our TV at home so our guys could watch it on my computer here. At the same time, we had the score streaming and the University of Kentucky commentators on CBSSports.com,” said Spc. David S. Cavitt, armor and weapons expert for the 2113th TC.
“The funny thing was each source was seconds apart, so we were cheering three different times for the same play. We would see the streaming score, hear the commentators, and then see the play. It was great,” he said.
The Kentucky Guard unit is attached to 1st Squadron, 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment headquartered in Henderson, Tenn., but that Tennessee connection has certainly not swayed the loyalty of these Wildcat fans. They are brothers in arms on missions; still yet, after the mission, Kentucky basketball reigns supreme in the hearts and minds of 2113th TC Soldiers.
As a tribute to Kentucky’s SEC Championship win, the Soldiers organized and video taped their version of the John Wall Dance. With the Wall Dance now in Iraq, it is now an international phenomenon.
With March Madness inching to a close, the Kentucky Guardsmen are anxious to see their Cats hang another banner in Rupp Arena.
As Cal’s Cats take to the floor this evening in Syracuse at 9:57 p.m. EDT, a group of Kentucky National Guardsmen will be half-a-world away, cheering on the Big Blue at 3 a.m. local time in Iraq.
“The guys will take a nap and set the alarm, just to see Kentucky take it to the house,” Cavitt said.
No colors run deeper than good ole’ Kentucky blue.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 19, 2010) — Hundreds of friends and Family members cheered on as Task Force Dragon Warrior arrived at Keeneland Race Park today following a 10-month deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
The crowd was part of a welcome home ceremony honoring the 167 Soldiers assigned to Task Force Dragon Warrior comprised of the 299th Chemical Company based in Maysville and the 301st Chemical Company from Morehead.
“I’ve told these Soldiers thank you, but I also must say thank you to the Families of these fine Soldiers as well. We recognize the sacrifice you made as well by not having your loved one with you this year,” said Maj. Gen. Edward Tonini, adjutant general of Kentucky.
The task force arrived in Iraq in June 2009, and was assigned to run protective service details for the United Nations and the U.S. Department of State, as well as security missions at the U.S. embassy in Baghdad.
“The most rewarding part of this deployment was witnessing how much the country has improved since we first began the war,” said 1st Sgt. James B. Coyne.
“We are gradually preparing Iraq to take back control of their country and begin to operate effectively,” he said.
Glasgow, Ky. (March 19, 2010) — Local artist J. T. Davidson puts the finishing touches to his rendition of a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) on the wall in the Kentucky National Guard armory in Glasgow.
Glasgow is the home of 1st Battalion, 623rd Artillery, which is transitioning to the new HIMARS and is scheduled for their inaugural firing later this spring. (Kentucky National Guard photos by John M. Trowbridge, Command Historian)
Citizen-Soldiers from the 2123rd Transportation Company are featured in the following Richmond Register story:
http://richmondregister.com/localnews/x282173644/Local-soldiers-leaving-for-war
Frankfort, Ky. (March 16, 2010) — Maj. Gen. Edward W. Tonini pins William Allen Denny with the silver eagles signifying the rank of colonel in a ceremony today at the Boone National Guard Center in Frankfort. Assisting Tonini is Denny’s wife, Martha.
Denny is a two-time veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom, having deployed to Germany in 2002 and Afghanistan in 2007. He was recently appointed the director of logistics for the Kentucky Army National Guard.
Frankfort, Ky. (March 5, 2010) — Kentucky Army National Guard aviation Soldiers from Detachment 11, Operational Support Airlift, returned home Tuesday with much fanfare following their tour of duty in Iraq.
First Lady Jane Beshear spoke of the growing importance of women serving in the military and how their leadership sets an example for women throughout the Commonwealth. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Aaron Hiler; 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)
Maj. Gen. Edward W. Tonini, Adjutant General for Kentucky, addresses a gathering at the Governor's Mansion to honor the service of women in the military, Mar. 5. Tonini spoke of the significant contributions women make in the modern military and the Kentucky National Guard. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Aaron Hiler, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)
Staff Sgt. Raymond Graves, right, kisses his daughter Jennifer, 4, at the Kentucky Air National Guard following his return from the Dominican Republic as part of the Haitian earthquake relief effort. The airmen operated a new air base. (By Sam Upshaw Jr., The Courier-Journal) Feb. 26, 2010
CONTACT: Lt. Col. Kirk Hilbrecht, 502-352-8008
WHO: Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Contingency Response Group
WHAT: Return from Haitian earthquake relief mission
WHERE: Kentucky Air National Guard Base, Grade Lane, Louisville, Ky.
WHEN: 2:30 p.m. March 1, 2010
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The remaining members of the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Contingency Response Group are returning home following five weeks in the Dominican Republic supporting humanitarian relief operations in Haiti.
Media are invited to attend the initial return of aircraft scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Monday, March 1.
NOTE: The actual arrival time is subject to change. Media planning to attend should call Lt. Col. Kirk Hilbrecht, 502-352-8008.
PLEASE ARRIVE EARLY to allow for processing through security and to set up your equipment. A photo ID is required to gain access to the airbase.
Related Links
- Fox41.com - “Air Guard officer “speechless” at Haiti relief effort“
- WBKO 13 TV - “Group of KY Air National Guard members return home“
- WLKY - “More Ky. airmen to return from Haiti“
- Kentucky.com - “More Ky. airmen return from Haiti“
