81st Civil Affairs Battalion Deploys To Afghanistan - kcentv.com - KCEN HD - Waco, Temple, and Killeen

About 200 civil affairs soldiers are on their way from Fort Hood to Afghanistan.

Over the next few weeks, they'll deploy to 27 different camps, and their mission will help change history for both countries.

"Please be patient, families, in understanding that this is essential in reducing the American footprint on Afghan soil," LTC Joshua Potter tells his troops' families at the deployment ceremony.

It's now Heather Stockdale's job to look after two month old Blakely on her own, as her husband helps prepare the Afghan people to look after themselves.

"I'm proud of him," said Heather, "I think what he's doing is a really great thing and something that's needed."

Over the next nine months SGT Tyler Stockdale will be part of a critical step in bringing American troops home.

Tyler said, "When you've been to Iraq twice before, and every time we've brought everybody back, it's an excellent part of the job to make sure everyone comes home safely."

The 81st Civil Affairs Battalion will help build strong communities centered around long-lasting development projects.

"We're going to be offering some of the short-term stability level projects for the people of Afghanistan, while it's the Afghan government's responsibility for the long-term redevelopment to rebuild their infrastructure," said LTC Potter.

So they'll work with both Afghan civilians and government.

Potter says, "The agriculture, the economic development piece and the governance all have to be combined for a same common effort."

And Tyler and Heather are already counting the days until that mission is complete.

"Just excited to see my family again at the end of it and see how much they've grown," said Tyler.

"With technology and Skype, hopefully, he won't miss too many of the big moments," said Heather as she cradled baby Blakely in her arms.

They all be together again by next October when the deployment ends.

The unit will also be working closely with our own American forces, because the civil affairs effort will continue in Afghanistan long after our troops withdraw.

Reporter: Sophia Stamas sstamas@kcentv.com

Photographer: Chris Buford: cbuford@kcentv.com