[SR-25]

Elements of Fort Bragg's 82nd Airborne Division are enroute to Afghanistan.

Dozens of troops from the Army's first of the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment left Green Ramp at Pope Air Force Base Wednesday afternoon. The troops left to provide security during the country's upcoming elections. More than 75 percent of these troops are combat veterans.


“This time I think we're going to be a little more hesitant as far as arsenal, as far as what our mission is," said SPC David Sanchez. "But we know what we have to do. We know we have to protect the ballot; protect their right to vote.”

Soldiers are on the way to Afghanistan to provide support and protection in the country's upcoming elections. The troops will be able to see the fruits of their labor.

“The first one, yeah, I was kind of hesitant on it. But after you see everything you do and everything that changes, you know you're doing a great job,” SPC Justin Verbarendse stated.

Still, leaving home and family isn't easy.Specialist Matthew Ferraro was married just two days ago. “It's still pretty hard. I should be on my honeymoon right now instead of going to Afghanistan.”

Division officials said these soldiers will spend the next couple of months away from home to bolster security in Afghanistan.

“When we first went over there, the first six months we were there I've seen it change a lot. I'm actually excited and anxious to see what it looks like now,” Sanchez added.


Close to 1,000 82nd Airborne soldiers will leave for Afghanistan over the next few weeks.

Soldiers said they will do a lot of patrolling and show the strength of the 82nd Airborne. Troops are prepared to stop anyone who might want to interfere with the October 9 elections in Afghanistan.