More Carson troops heading to Iraq, Afghanistan

Capt. Thomas Knothe’s first son, Zack, was 3 days old when the soldier deployed to Iraq. Now his second son, Eli, is 6 weeks old and Knothe is headed to Afghanistan.

“It’s going to be even harder leaving him this time,” Knothe said.

His wife, Amanda Knothe, said this time will be harder because Zack is old enough to wonder “where Daddy is and why isn’t he home.” But her mission is to stay strong, try not to let her boys see her worry, and be proud of her husband.

Knothe is part of the unit that completed a flag casing ceremony at Fort Carson today, signifying that they have completed their training and are ready to go to war.

The 43rd Sustainment Brigade’s headquarters company (68th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion) and its 60th Ordnance Company will begin leaving this week for yearlong tours.

The headquarters unit will help oversee supply operations and other work in Afghanistan. The ordnance company will help keep American fighters supplied with ammunition in Iraq.

Lt. Col. Thomas A. Rivard said 280 troops will be deployed in these units, bringing to more than 5,000 the number of soldiers from Fort Carson deployed in war zones.

The two companies will join other elements of the 43rd brigade, nicknamed Stagecoach, already at war. The brigade’s 4th Engineer Battalion is working near Kandahar to keep roads free of bombs, which clears routes for the headquarters company’s mission of supply, transportation and maintenance.

“Trust your training, trust your equipment, and trust your leaders,” Rivard told his soldiers. “I’ll see you on the high ground, Stagecoach.”

Rivard is keenly aware of the heavy casualties suffered by American troops in Afghanistan in recent weeks, but said that only makes the mission more urgent.

“We’re important, and it’s our turn to go,” Rivard said.

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