A year of change, a lineage of service
North Carolina National Guard Soldiers of the 29th Division Sustainment Brigade saw a great deal of change in recent years reorganized under a new division made of units from NCNG and Virginia National Guard units, trained for new threats on the battlefield, and opened a new readiness center in McLeansville, N.C.
But one thing never changed, the mission, at a moment's notice, be ready to defend the homeland.
“They are trained, ready, professional, there’s not a mission they can’t accomplish,” said the 29th DSB Commander U.S. Army Col. Kimberly S. Graham.
The McLeansville units, Headquarters and Headquarters Company 29th division Sustainment Brigade and 196th Brigade Signal Company, received mobilization orders for Operation Spartan Shield, a U.S. Central Command Mission in the Middle East earlier this year.
Tough, realistic training built on skills learned over years of drills preparing them for their mission.
“The training was great and we incorporated a lot of new Soldiers and we have some awesome talent, we will be successful,” said U.S. Army First Sgt. Joshua Cummings assigned to HHC.
With all pre-deployment training completed it was time to say farewell.
The nearly 300 Soldiers assembled for their deployment ceremony at First Horizon Coliseum Complex in Greensboro, N.C., Sept. 30, 2026.
In a ritual as old as Rome, the unit’s First Sergeant command echoed through the complex, “fall in.” Truck drivers, small business owners, corporate executives, teachers, and college students from dozens of hometowns, Soldiers all, answered as their names were called.
Their first duty was to honor one of their own, U.S. Army Capt. Lativia McJunkins, the 29th DSB Medical Operations Officer. She earned the Capt. John R. Teal Award for her previous contributions to the Army Medical Department's mission, stood before her peers to accept the award.
“I am very proud of her accomplishments,” said Mary Crowder, mother of McJunkins.
A quick practice for the ceremony follows. They marched down rows of chairs to the shouts and smiles of friends and family who arrived early to see loved ones.
In the crowd, families pointed out their Soldier, flags waved, and shared more than one concerned look, “There’s daddy . . . Oh that’s him, . . . oh my gosh . . .”
After the practice, the Soldiers moved among the bleachers to be with all their supporters, friends, family, fellow Soldiers, one more time.
Along the walls of the auditorium were representatives of NCNG’s Education Services Office, Family Programs, North Carolina National Guard Association, and Daughters of the American Revolution, each with the same goal, to support the Soldiers and families.
Soldiers and families visited the tables loaded with stuffed animals, small care packages, and information needed for the unique challenges a deployment brings.
“We are their advocate,” Christine Quante, executive director NCNGA.
The time arrived, the Army band played, the master of ceremonies asked all to stand as the Soldiers marched into applause of more than 1000 in the audience.
“We are here to respect the country, the Soldiers’ and his dad’s sacrifice keeping us safe,” said Amanda Huntley, wife of 1st Lt. Anthony Koro, an intelligence officer assigned to the 29th DSB.
The Soldiers will soon begin their mission providing sustainment and communication support throughout Central Command.
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