KANDAHAR, Afghanistan - When U.S. Army Spc. Mark Ballinger, a native of Hesperia, California, arrived to the 40th Infantry Division, California National Guard, two years ago a deployment to Afghanistan was the last thing on his mind. Assigned to the 40th Inf. Div. as a cable systems installer-maintainer, Ballinger said upon his arrival to the unit, slots for the upcoming two deployments to Afghanistan were scarce but he stayed eager and motivated for the possibility of going on one.

United States Army Article