NEWS RELEASE: More than 600 personnel from the Idaho National Guard’s largest unit deployed Tuesday and Wednesday in support of Operation Spartan Shield in Southwest Asia. The 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team’s Task Force Rattler trained for more than two years in anticipation of this mobilization. “Task Force Rattler is trained, motivated and ready to assume all assigned missions in Southwest Asia,” said Maj. Sam McDowell, task force commander. "This team has rapidly prepared and come together as a cohesive and lethal fighting force.” Idaho Soldiers will comprise nearly 65 percent of the task force during this rotation, and will include other Soldiers from Montana, Ohio, Oregon and South Carolina. OSS is a joint mission under the United States Central Command and is part of Operation Enduring Freedom. OSS is an ongoing operation and supported primarily by Army National Guard combat units from across the country. The deployment is anticipated to last approximately 12 months and i...