Going back to Iraq

When it comes to deploying to Iraq, Wayne Chastain has been there, done that.

Chastain, a nine-year veteran on the Baker City Police Department already spent more than a year in Iraq in 2004-2005 as a  member of the region’s Guard unit.

Now, he is going back.

There will be some key differences this time around for the local policeman.

For one, he holds down a higher rank — 1st Sgt. — than he did back in 2004 when Eastern Oregon’s Guard outfit, the 3rd  Battalion, 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team, deployed to Iraq.

The 3rd Battalion consists of Guard units from across Oregon, including Ontario, Baker City, Pendleton, Hermiston and La Grande.

He will also be able to draw upon the experience he secured from the 2004-2005 deployment to help him this time around.

Though he lives and works in Baker City, Chastain calls Ontario’s Guard unit, Charlie Company, 3rd Battalion, 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team, his home away from home.

Which is just fine for the Baker City policeman.

That career for Chastain has so far been a long one — 18 years — and he said his time in the Oregon Army National Guard has been worthwhile.

Another key difference between this year’s deployment and the one Chastain endured in 2004 is duration. When Ontario’s Army Guard unit was deployed in 2004 it was gone more than 18 months. This time the 3rd Battalion will be on active duty no more than 12 months.

“I’m glad it is not 20 or 18 months like it was last time,” he said.

Chastain also said the 3rd Battalion’s job in Iraq this time around could be different.

“I think the mission will not be like it was before but obviously I won’t know what we are doing until I get over there,” he said.

Recently the commander of the 3rd Battalion, Lt. Col. Phil Appleton, confirmed the unit would guard convoys and provide security at forward operating bases — or FOBs — while in Iraq.

As Charlie Company’s 1st Sgt., Chastain is the highest-ranking non-commissioned officer in the unit, a job he said he takes very seriously.

“I have the shortest job description in the Guard. I’m the senior enlisted advisor to the commander,” he said.

Which means Chastain not only must oversee the daily activities of training for the members of Charlie Company but he also is required to advise and help the unit commander tackle personnel issues, supply matters and other items that crop up.

“I’m basically the senior NCO and as such I’m responsible for the training of the soldiers and other NCOs and the administration side of the house,” he said.

Chastain said, though, his main goal remains the same.

“That the soldiers have the training and equipment necessary to be successful and that we bring them home safe to their families,” he said.

While Chastain said he is excited to deploy with Charlie Company as its 1st Sgt. he conceded time away from his family would be difficult.

“My wife does not want me to leave, but she understands. It is not fun being away from my family but we’ve been through this before and we know we will prevail,” he said.

Chastain said Baker City residents are well represented in the Ontario Guard unit.

“There are at least 11 Baker guys in the unit. A handful from La Grande and one from John Day,” he said.

Ontario’s Guard unit, though, will not be strictly filled with Eastern Oregon residents, Chastain said.

“We are pulling guys from across the state. There are people coming from all over the place,” Chastain said.

The old image of the Guard is long gone, Chastain said.

“I didn’t think when I came into the Guard that I would deploy. I wanted to, because I came in to serve my country. But I didn’t ever foresee us being deployed once, let alone two times,” he said.