More than 1,000 Minnesota Guardsmen to deploy to the Middle East
March 3, 2021 (CAMP RIPLEY, Minnesota) — Approximately 1,100 Soldiers from Task Force 1-194 are preparing to deploy to the Middle East for a nine-month mission in support of Operation Spartan Shield.
While deployed, the Soldiers will mobilize and resume responsibilities within the CENTCOM Area of Operations assuming the Operation Spartan Shield response force mission.
“This task force will bring together Soldiers from several units across the state,” said Lt. Col. Jacob Helgestad, commander of Task Force 1-194. “Our Soldiers are well-trained and ready for this mission and I’m confident they will represent the State of Minnesota well.”
The unit’s deployment ceremony will be streamed live on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/194Armor at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 7, 2021. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, members of the public are asked to view the ceremony virtually.
The task force includes Soldiers from the following units:
1st Combined Arms Battalion, 194th Armor – Brainerd
Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 194th Armor – Camp Ripley
Company A, 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 194th Armor – Sauk Centre
Company B, 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 194th Armor – St. Cloud
Company C, 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 194th Armor – East St. Paul
Company A, 2nd Combined Arms Battalion, 136th Infantry – Detroit Lakes
Company B, 2nd Combined Arms Battalion, 136th Infantry – Crookston
Company C, 134th Brigade Support Battalion – Cottage Grove
Company G, 134th Brigade Support Battalion – Camp Ripley
The Soldiers will travel to Fort Bliss, Texas for additional training prior to traveling overseas.
Members of the media are invited to attend the ceremony at 1:00 p.m., Sunday, March 7, at the Camp Ripley Education Center Auditorium (Building 6-76), 15000 Highway 115, Little Falls, MN. Please RSVP to mn.ng.web@mail.mil if you plan on attending. Masks are required.
– About the Minnesota National Guard –
Established in 1856 and headquartered in St. Paul, the Minnesota National Guard has more than 13,000 Soldiers and Airmen who serve in 58 communities across the state. The Citizen-Soldiers and Airmen of the Minnesota National Guard are ‘Always Ready’ to fight the nation’s wars, protect the country, respond to state emergencies and contribute to local communities. For more information about the Minnesota National Guard, visit https://MinnesotaNationalGuard.ng.mil.
