Delta Company 185 Armor, a tank unit that includes about 20
part-time soldiers from San Benito County, plans to submit
documentation to the California National Guard to request moving
the headquarters.
A California National Guard unit based in Madera is strongly considering a move to the Hollister Armory, its commander confirmed today.
Delta Company 185 Armor, a tank unit that includes about 20 part-time soldiers from San Benito County, plans to submit documentation to the California National Guard to request moving the headquarters, said Capt. Martin Younger, the unit’s commander.
Younger first saw the state-owned Hollister Armory about six months ago. He grew interested because it’s a better suited and nicer building than their current headquarters, he said. The most important factor, though, has been a high level of community support from local nonprofit groups and others in the area, he said.
“It’s the community support that has really pushed me in that direction,” he said.
Delta Company 185 Armor members had a glimpse of their possible future Sunday, when about 60 soldiers attended a family readiness session at the Hollister Armory while another was held the same day in Madera for the other half of the group.
If the unit moves to Hollister, Younger said it would happen when they return from a 10-month mission in Iraq for which they’ll depart in August.
There would be two to three full-time unit members at the Hollister Armory if it goes through. One weekend a month, though, Younger estimated that a few dozen soldiers would attend training at the site.
One tank would be stationed at the armory for simulation training. Younger noted that most of the unit’s physical tank training is held at Ft. Irwin in Barstow.
