Unit gets ready to ship out to Iraq

By Dale Liesch | Dadeville Record

Originally published 12:55 p.m., October 30, 2008
Updated 12:55 p.m., October 30, 2008

Members of the Alabama Army National Guard’s 158th Maintenance Company from Tallassee have been called to active duty and will leave Monday.

However, before the company leaves for camp Autterbury in Indiana for training there will be a departure ceremony on Nov. 2 at 11 a.m in their honor at the Tallassee football stadium.

Capt. Robert L. Schodorf, company commander, said he wasn’t sure how many in the company where from the Dadeville or Alexander City area because he has soldiers on the company from Mobile to Huntsville.

“We’re spread out from all over the state,” Schodorf said. “If I had to put a number on it I would say there were 10 soldiers from that area.”

Schodorf added that the departure ceremony is for the community in addition to soldiers and their families.

“It gives the soldiers and their families a chance to meet the families of other soldiers because we are so spread out,” Schodorf said. “It is used for social networking.”

Schodorf said once the 158th are finished with their training period they would replace the 62nd Maintenance Company at Mosul in Northern Iraq. Schodorf said the unit will provide tactical combat recovery teams, maintenance support teams and force protection assets to support sustained ground combat operations.

“Our primary task involves recovering vehicles that have become disabled during their missions,” Schodorf said.

The general public is invited and encouraged to come to the departure ceremony to show their support for the 158th soldiers and members of their families. The Tallassee High School football stadium is located adjacent to the Tallassee Recreation Department at 450 Gilmer Ave.