Minnesota National Guard Red Bulls Return Home from Middle East

MEDIA RELEASE: For Immediate Release
December 10, 2024

ARDEN HILLS, Minn. – This week, the first wave of more than 550 Citizen-Soldiers of the Minnesota National Guard’s 34th Infantry Division return to Minnesota following a ten-month deployment to the Middle East. “I am incredibly proud of our 34th Infantry Division ‘Red Bulls’ who successfully completed their Operation Spartan Shield and Inherent Resolve mission,” said Army Maj. Gen. Charles Kemper, 34th Infantry Division commander.

“I am likewise immensely grateful for our wonderfully supportive families, employers, and communities. Your Soldiers can only do what the country and our state need us to do because of your unwavering support.”

Units supporting the task force regularly conducted multilateral, military-to-military exercises with partner nation forces in the region. Training exercises varied from testing command-post capabilities to side-by-side maneuvers, developing a mutual understanding of how to conduct operations in a multinational environment. The division headquarters was also modernized with top-of-the line communications equipment during their mobilization, resulting in the unit being one of the most up-to-date units in the United States Army.

Spanning across 216 communities throughout Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota, Virginia, Colorado, California, Florida, Louisiana, Maryland, New Jersey, and Texas, the Red Bull Soldiers are excited to return home before the Holidays.

“Soldiers of the 34th Infantry Division have made the Minnesota National Guard proud as they assisted allies and partners in building security throughout the Middle East,” said Army Maj. Gen. Shawn Manke, the Minnesota National Guard’s adjutant general. “Red Bulls have defended our state and nation for more than 100 years, and these Soldiers continued to add to the division’s rich history. We are happy to see them return to spend the holiday season with their families.”

– About the Minnesota National Guard –

Established in 1856 and headquartered in Saint Paul, the Minnesota National Guard has more than 13,000 Soldiers and Airmen who serve in 58 communities across the state. The Citizen[1]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.

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