LANSING, MICH. - Friends and family will bid farewell to approximately 65 Michigan National Guard Soldiers from the Wyoming-based Company C, Brigade Special Troops Battalion on Thursday (Jan. 7) as they depart for Camp Atterbury, Ind., and then Afghanistan for a 12-month tour of duty.

The Soldiers will train for approximately 2 months at Camp Atterbury before deploying. Upon arrival in Afghanistan they will provide communication network support for a brigade size element.

The deployment ceremony will be held Thursday, Jan. 7, at 4 p.m., at the Michigan Army National Guard Grand Valley Armory, 1200 44th Street, Wyoming, Mich. 49509.

Today, more than 800 Michigan National Guard Soldiers and Airmen are deployed across the globe in support of the global war on terrorism; however, as the Michigan Guard serves the nation abroad, more than 90 percent of the force is available, trained and ready to respond to a state emergency including a terrorist event.

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MEDIA ADVISORY:
Media is invited to attend the departure ceremony. Soldiers and family members will be available for interviews approximately one hour prior to the ceremony.