Reservists realize danger, but ready for call-up to Kosovo

"War is not pretty. The guy who says he's not afraid, there's something wrong," said Master Sgt. Lanny Quoetone.

The unit faces possible mobilization after the Clinton administration on Friday said it was preparing to call up as many as 33,000 reserve forces for a Kosovo operation that could last until summer.

More than 50 people staged a protest of the planned buildup Saturday in Carson City.

Nevada guard spokeswoman Cindy Kirkland said only bomber and fighter units have been activated so far, not air cargo units like the one in Reno.

"That could change. It could happen in hours, days or weeks," Major Kirkland said. "We don't know at this point."

Tech. Sgt. Nino Iannacchione said the possible call-up has him thinking about his wife of eight months and the baby she's carrying.

"I think about them all the time," he said. "I hope this doesn't escalate into another world war ... I hope to be home for the birth of my child."

As a traditional, part-time guardsman, Master Sgt. Mike Arnold said his boss at Summit Engineering would be forced to hire a replacement for him if the unit is mobilized.

"I have to sit down with my employer and talk about it," he said. "I'd hate to see us get in another ground war, but I don't see an end to it."

Major Chris Ultsch said he has studied the conflict and thinks the Serbian's ethnic cleansing must be stopped.

"There is a considerable amount of danger," he said. "(But) this is my passion and duty. This is what we train for."

Quoetone expressed doubts over American involvement in the Balkans.

"I'm not sure we should be in (Yugoslavia)," he said. "I know those people need help ... I have mixed feelings about it, but I will support the mission if we need to go."

The Clinton administration's announcement Friday did nothing to interrupt the daily routine of maintenance and training flights at the unit's base south of Reno-Tahoe International Airport.

archive