Local reservists to deploy to Iraq

More than 60 reservists from the Army Bravo Company 403rd Civil Affairs unit will leave for Iraq Saturday. The reservists, many of whom are from Utica and Central New York, will stop at Fort Dix in New Jersey for training and then onto Baghdad for more training. “Kuwait is a stopping point to make sure we climatize and do some last-minute training,” said Major Richard Brown. The reservists will be working in and around Baghdad, he said. Of the 64 reservists headed overseas, some of them have been deployed before, Brown said. The units will help to help rebuild Baghdad. “We’re going to be doing a lot to help rebuild the infrastructure, economy, education system and health-care system,” Brown said. “The ultimate goal is to get the local officials to take over the management and responsibilities and all of these projects... [read full story]