Another military unit from eastern Georgia is heading to Iraq. The troops left Fort Gordon near Augusta on Saturday. About 120 troops are part of the latest deployment. They’re joining about 550 of their fellow members of the 63rd Signal Battalion already in Iraq. It’s the battalion’s third deployment in four years. That can be hard on troops and their families. Austin Webb serves with the battalion’s Company B. He’s 24 years old, and has been married four years. But he’s spent a total of nearly three years away from his wife, serving in Korea and once before in Iraq. “It’s basically getting old, having to leave and come, leave and come,” he said. “What makes it harder is that you don’t see the person you married. You see your job more than that person.” Webb’s battalion sets up and maintains communications equipment. Military officials say the troops will serve in Iraq for 15 months. For more information on Fort Gordon and the 63rd Signal Battalion, go to www.gordon.army.mil.
