Stryker Arrowhead Brigade Prepares for Pre-Christmas Deployment

For the past couple of years, Sgt. 1st Class Sean McCartan and his family's Christmas has come early. His wife and young son have shared the holiday tradition of a Christmas dinner, presents and a birthday prior to his deployment.

This year is no different.

McCartan and the 3rd Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, will deploy to Southern Afghanistan in December, according to Catherine Caruso, public affairs spokeswoman.The unit conducted a deployment ceremony Tuesday.

With his son's fourth birthday coming up, McCartan is excited to have the opportunity to have an early Christmas while enjoying his son's birthday.

"It's not that bad," he said modestly.

Unable to spend time with his family during a special time of the year, McCartan said technological advancements like Skype have allowed him to chat face-to-face while thousands of miles away in another country. His first deployment to Iraq in 2005, he said, didn't afford that luxury.

Beginning in November 2003, the 3/2 SBCT served 12 months in Samarra and Mosul, Iraq. In 2006, the brigade conducted operations in Mosul and the Ninevah Province, Baghdad, Najaf and Baqubah before returning to Fort Lewis in Sept. 2007. And from July 2009 through July 2010, 3rd Stryker Brigade soldiers were stationed at locations throughout Diyala Province, according to a JBLM statement.

About 3,000 soldiers from the 3rd Brigade will deploy in December to conduct counter-insurgency operations. Additionally, they will work alongside the Afghan national security forces toward the goal of transitioning to where the Afghan national security forces will take the lead, similar to the missions Stryker soldiers have performed in Iraq in recent years, Caruso said in a news release.