August 19, 2009

LANSING, MICH.-Friends and family will bid farewell to approximately 70 Michigan National Guard Soldiers as they depart Thursday for Fort Hood, Texas and then to Iraq for a 12-month tour of duty. The Soldiers are assigned to the Charlie Medical Company, 3/238th General Support Aviation Battalion based in Grand Ledge.

The Soldiers will train for approximately 60 days at Fort Hood before they deploy to Iraq. Their mission is to provide en route medical care to patients in Iraq.

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 departure ceremony. Soldiers and family members will be available for interviews prior to the ceremony.