LANSING, MICH.-Friends and family will bid farewell to four groups of Michigan Army National Guard Soldiers on Sunday, Jan. 6, as they prepare to depart for Fort Hood, Texas, for mission specific training and then to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Thirteen units from the Michigan Army National Guard will deploy this month in support of the Global War on Terrorism.

Departure ceremonies at three separate locations on Sunday are as follows:

§ 10 a.m. at the Dowagiac Union High School (701 W. Prairie Ronde St., Dowagiac, 49047) for approximately 70 Soldiers from Troop C, 1st Squadron, 126th Cavalry from Dowagiac.

§ 12 p.m. at the Alpena Combat Training Center (Bldg 645, 5880 A St., Alpena, Mich., 49707) for approximately 30 Soldiers from Detachment 1, Company B., 1st Battalion, 125th Regiment.

§ 2 p.m. at the Wyoming Armory (1200 44th St. SW, Wyoming, 49509) for approximately 120 Soldiers from Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 1st Squadron, 126th Cavalry and Company D, 237th Forward Support Battalion.

The Soldiers are expected to return home in January 2009.

Today, nearly 1,000 Michigan National Guard Soldiers and Airmen are deployed across the globe in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom; however, as the Michigan Guard serves the nation abroad, more than 9,000 members remain, ready to respond to state emergencies.

MEDIA ADVISORY:

Media is invited to attend.

(For more information regarding the departure ceremony for Troop C, 1st Squadron, 126th Cavalry in Dowagiac contact Sgt. 1st Class Greg Reedy, 269-782-8801.

For information regarding the departure ceremony for Detachment 1, Company B, 1st Battalion, 125th Infantry in Alpena contact 1st Sgt. Jon Sawyer, 989-752-0911.

For information regarding the departure ceremony for HHT, 1st Squadron, 126th Cavalry and Company D, 237th FSB in Wyoming, contact Capt. Wes Smith, 616-269-2631.)