Seventeen New Mexico Guard soldiers to head for Afghanistan, leaving families behind

When Master Sgt. Mark Baca leaves New Mexico for Afghanistan in a few days, he’ll leave his pregnant wife behind.

Baca, a 39-year-old Army Ranger who grew up in Santa Fe, fed off the euphoric mood at a sendoff ceremony for 17 New Mexico National Guard soldiers at the Bataan Memorial Museum on Wednesday, but his wife, Tricia, although proud, fought back tears. The couple’s son, 14-month-old Cole, wandered down an isle and up to the front of the stage, where his grandpa, Retired Lt. Gen. Edward Baca, was speaking.

Edward Baca told a rousing story to the crowd about a Bataan veteran who stole from the Japanese to make an American flag. His voice faltered slightly when he said of his son, “I’ve never been prouder of you than I am right today.”

The 17 members of the light infantry training team, based in Santa Fe, will train in Kansas for a couple of months before leaving for Afghanistan. Once in Afghanistan, they will assist with training the Afghan National Army. Many of the men are current or former police officers, several have experience with counter-drug operations, and one man, Staff Sgt. David Muñiz, is a registered nurse. All of the soldiers volunteered for the mission, according to Maj. Ken Nava, the Guard spokesman.

The unit commander, Maj. Frank Oliveira, said the men would stick together in Afghanistan. “We are going to watch out for each other,” he said. “We are going to be successful. And we are going to come back to you.”

Mark Baca has spent 23 years in the military, and said he volunteered to go because he believes he will be able to mentor Afghan forces. “In my heart, I feel like somewhere I can make a difference,” he said.

Mark Baca’s wife is due to give birth to their second son in early December. Besides Cole, Mark Baca also has two other children, 12-year-old Kaitlin and 10-year-old Jake.

The couple hopes Mark Baca will be able to return home for a few days when Tricia Baca goes into labor. Mark Baca said the couple had been spending a lot of time together since they learned about his deployment about two months ago. Tricia Baca said she will rely on family for support, but it has still been difficult.

“I was devastated at first,” she said.

Mark Baca cut in to comfort her. “Don’t be sad. It will be OK,” he said.

Contact Natalie Storey at 986-3026 or nstorey@sfnewmexican.com.