Navy News, opinions, editorials, news from Iraq, photos, reports - Navy Times

50 Ohio reservists called up for 8-month tour

COLUMBUS, Ohio — With other branches of the service stretched thin, an unusually large group of Navy reservists from Columbus has been called up for an eight-month mission in Kuwait and Iraq.

The 50 or so central Ohio sailors are being sent over to inspect troops and cargo returning to the U.S., in a group deployment rare for Navy reservists. Typically, they’re sent overseas individually to cover gaps in other units.

Lt. Penny Cockerell of the Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support Group in Williamsburg, Va., said the military needs groups of Navy reservists now to relieve the Army and Marine Corps of some non-combat jobs.

The central Ohioans are training in Williamsburg along with 50 other Navy reservists from elsewhere in Ohio and from neighboring states.