North Carolina National Guard infantry battalion plans to deploy after Raleigh send-Off

NEW HANOVER COUNTY (WWAY) — Members of the North Carolina National Guard received a send-off ceremony Tuesday in Raleigh. 

Approximately 800 members of the 1-120th Infantry Battalion are mobilizing for a yearlong deployment to Kuwait in support of Operation Spartan Shield. 

Some unit members say the changeover helps prepare them for real-world missions and strengthens camaraderie among the troops. 

Leadership emphasizes that this training and deployment are part of their commitment to serve both the nation and the state of North Carolina. 

Staff Sergeant with the battalion, Jacob Eversole, who has deployed twice before, says the mobilization strengthens the bonds between soldiers as they prepare for deployment together. 

“It’s just camaraderie. We get to see all the faces of all the soldiers that we’re going to be mobilizing with; everybody comes together as one big group, one big family. We all wear the same uniforms,” said Eversole. 

While roughly 800 members deploy, the remaining members of the battalion will stay in Wilmington as a rear detachment, supporting deployed troops and managing equipment and personnel operations.