BANGOR, Maine (NEWS CENTER) --- Members of the 126th Medevac Unit with the Maine Army National Guard thought they would be coming home from Kuwait for July Fourth. Last week, they found out that would not be the case.
The unit, which has been assisting with medical air evacuations in 'Operating Enduring Freedom,' received word that it would get no leaves during its tour overseas. The 126th left the U.S. for Kuwait in late April. More than 100 men and women serve in it.
Under new policy in the U.S. Army, a unit has to be in active duty for at least nine months in order to get trips home. Guard officials say that the 126th's mission in Kuwait is not that long and that means its members don't qualify for a leave.
The guard says that was the understanding when the unit left Maine in March. Officials say misinformation spread while the soldiers were getting ready to deploy to Kuwait from Fort Hood Texas. Commanders there awarded the unit a midtour leave. Officials say the mistake went unnoticed for months.
"We're not sure if there was clarification at any given time once they arrived in theatre {Kuwait}," said Capt. Zeb Murray, "what we know is the unit initiated their leave plan only to be corrected that their were in violation of their leave plan. Action since then has been corrected so that their soldiers are not authorized mid tour leave."
Officials with the guard say they are working to notify and support families of the 126th in the wake of the announcement. The unit is due to return to Maine by next March.
NEWS CENTER