Oconto County jail officer deploying to Ukraine

An Oconto County jail officer is among approximately 160 members of the 160 Wisconsin Army National Guard soldiers from the 32nd “Red Arrow” Infantry Brigade Combat Team headquarters who are scheduled to mobilize for deployment to Ukraine later this month.

Brandon England, who has been employed at the jail since May 2014, was honored for his service during the Aug. 22 meeting of the Oconto County Board.

In the Guard he is Warrant Officer England, serving as an intelligence analyst and is scheduled to be activated this month for one year.

“This is Warrant Officer England’s fourth activation and deployment,” county Veterans Service Officer Ron Christensen said in a recognition that was read to the board. “He was previously activated in 2004 for one year with service in Kuwait, August 2009 for one year with service in Kosovo and again in September 2011 for two years with service in Germany, Kosovo and Ireland.”

The brigade headquarters, based at Camp Douglas, will deploy in support of the Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine, where it will serve as the headquarters element overseeing a group of multinational “partner and advise training teams” based at the International Peacekeeping and Security Center in western Ukraine, according to Capt. Joe Trovato of the Wisconsin National Guard.

“The Red Arrow Soldiers will work alongside several NATO allies to assist in building professional units capable of defending Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Trovato said. “Since 2015, U.S. Army Europe has trained and advised Ukrainian security forces in western Ukraine by mentoring Ukrainian cadre and assisting in the development and enhancement of ranges and training areas.”

Christensen described England as “the finest example of the Citizen/Soldier that our country has come to rely on” and said the Reserve and National Guard forces have borne a heavy burden since 9/11.

“It is extremely difficult to live the life of a normal civilian and then shake it all up when your country calls,” Christensen said. “What is even more difficult is to put it all back together when you return a year later. That transition can be extremely difficult.”

He included England’s wife, Kristina, and their young daughters Hailey, Kelsey and Carley, who will also bear the burden of not having husband and father for a year.

“What I believe is important to Warrant Officer England is that he knows that he is supported by his family, his employer and his community,” Christensen said, pledging his support to England and his family.

Jail Administrator Carol Copp told the board that she thought it was important to recognize England “and let him know that we do support him very much as well as his wife and kids, because this won’t be easy.”

The county has worked to support England’s National Guard service, which has involved occasional absences for training.

“I just want you to know how much we appreciate you,” Copp said. “You’ve been an amazing correctional officer, you are clearly a wonderful husband and father, and you will be missed while you’re gone, and we’ll anxiously wait your safe return.”

County Board Chairman Paul Bednarek presented England with a certificate of appreciation for his service to the county and the country from the full board, which gave him a standing ovation.

Trovato said the deployment comes at a time when approximately 800 other Red Arrow Soldiers from the 32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team are deployed with both the Appleton-headquartered 2nd Battalion, 127th Infantry and the Eau Claire-based 1st Battalion, 128th Infantry. The 127th remains deployed to Afghanistan, while the 128th mobilized in July in preparation for its own mission in Afghanistan.