Texas peacekeepers going to Bosnia

Overseas duty surprises some in National Guard

February 8, 2000
Web posted at: 2:38 p.m. EST (1938 GMT)

VIDEO CNN's Charles Zewe witnesses soldiers packing and saying good-bye to their families. Real 28K 80K Windows Media 28K 80K

AUSTIN, Texas (CNN) -- About 700 Texas Army National Guard soldiers are about to begin a nine-month peacekeeping mission in Bosnia -- the first time since the Korean War that a National Guard division has been deployed to command Army combat units.

The 49th Armored Division of the Texas Army National Guard received a colorful send-off Monday, during an Austin ceremony filled with emotional goodbyes from family members.

More such separations may be in the offing. A Pentagon study predicts the demand for Guard and reserve deployments is likely to remain high for the next 15 to 20 years.

Once in Bosnia, the Texas National Guard soldiers will replace the Army's 10th Mountain Division and assume command of Task Force Eagle, the U.S. contingent of NATO's multinational peacekeeping force established after the 1992-95 war in Bosnia.

For more US news, myCNN.com will bring you news from the areas and subjects you select.

Texas Army National Guard
  • 49th Armored Division
Task Force Eagle

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.