The 1/120th, known as the "Tusk Hogs," was deployed to combat for the first time in nearly 60 years in early 2004 as part of the 30th Heavy Brigade Combat Team, North Carolina Army National Guard. Brigade headquarters was at FOB Caldwell, east of Baghdad, while the 1/120th battalion headquarters and Charlie Company was based (for most of the deployment) at FOB Bernstein, about 45 miles south of Ki
rkuk. The brigade, including the 120th, redeployed Dec. 2004 - Feb. 2005. On 6 JUN 2004 - 60 years after the D-Day invasion - Soldiers of the 1/120th were awarded right-shoulder unit patches signifying wartime service. The 1/120th lost four soldiers during the 2004 deployment: Spc. Jocelyn Carrasquillo (HHC, 1/120th, 13 MAR 2004, Baghdad), Cpt. Cash (Commander, Alpha Company, 1/120th, 24 JUN 2004, Baqubah); Spc. Daniel A. Desens Jr. (Alpha Company, 1/120th, 24 JUN 2004, Baqubah); and Staff Sgt. Michael S. Voss (HHC, 1/120th, 8 OCT 2004, near Kirkuk). The Tusk Hogs were again called to serve in late 2008. Following training at Camp Shelby, Miss., and Fort Stewart, Ga., the 1st Battalion (Combined Arms), 120th Infantry Regiment deployed with the 30th HBCT to central Iraq in early 2009, this time under the 1st Cavalry Division. The 120th redeployed with the 30th HBCT in January–February 2010.
