Lansing, Mich. - Following a 12-month tour of duty in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, 11 members of the Operational Mentor and Liaison Team (OMLT), Michigan Army National Guard, are scheduled to arrive for a homecoming ceremony at the Michigan National Guard Headquarters. The unit departed Michigan in June 2008 for mission specific training at Fort Benning, Ga. They arrived in Iraq in August 2008.

The Soldiers are a varied group from Battle Creek, Lansing and Wyoming, Michigan with skill specialties in advanced mechanics, medicine, computer systems, and legal proceedings among others. All members of the team share an infantry background and served as trainers and advisors for Latvian partners and Afghani troops while overseas. The Michigan National Guard has had a partnership with the Latvian Army since 1992. This was the first time that a Michigan National Guard unit has deployed with the Latvian troops.

Today, nearly 1,000 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 arrival ceremony expected to begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Michigan National Guard Headquarters, 3411 N. Martin Luther King Blvd., Lansing, Mich., 48906. Please note the time is subject to change.