Nearly 100 Minnesota National Guard Soldiers to deploy this weekend

July 30, 2020 (ALEXANDRIA, Minnesota) – Nearly 100 Soldiers from the Alexandria-based Battery C, 1st Battalion, 194th Field Artillery will deploy to U.S. Central Command region in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel. 

“Our Soldiers come from more than 60 Minnesota communities,” said Company 1st Sgt. Adam Vanderwal. “We have worked hard over the last several months to prepare our Soldiers and families for this year-long deployment.”

The unit deployment ceremony at will be live on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/MinnesotaNationalGuard at 11:30 on Sunday, August 2, 2020.  Due to COVID-19 requirements, only elected officials, Minnesota National Guard leadership and media members will be allowed into the Alexandria Armory to see the ceremony in person.

The community is welcome to wave goodbye to Soldiers as their busses head out of Alexandria, Monday, August 3, 2020. Interested persons should line Alexandria’s Broadway Street from Fifth Avenue West to Interstate I-94 starting at 9:30 a.m.

Battery C will join up with approximately 250 Soldiers from Iowa to make up the 1st Battalion, 194th Field Artillery, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, where they will defend U.S. and Allied positions in Afghanistan, Iraq and Kuwait.

To coordinate an interview with deploying soldiers, contact the Minnesota National Guard public affairs office at 651-282-4410 or mn.ng.web@mail.mil.

– 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.