Lansing, Mich.- Michigan Army National Guard Soldiers from the 144th, 1775th, and 1776th Military Police companies will depart from Ft. Custer, Mich., today at 7 p.m. for Fort Dix, N.J., in preparation for their deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.  At Fort Dix, the Soldiers will spend four to six weeks on mission-specific training and in-processing.  They are expected to deploy to Iraq for a 12-month tour.   

Today, approximately 1,400 Michigan National Guard Soldiers and Airmen are deployed across the globe, at locations such as Iraq, Kuwait, Afghanistan, and Bosnia.  Since Sept. 11, 2001, approximately 75 percent of the Michigan Guard has been deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom; however, as Michigan troops serve the nation, more than 80 percent of the Michigan Guard remains available and ready to respond to a state emergency including a terrorist event.

MEDIA ADVISORY:

Media is invited to attend the departure ceremony at 7 p.m. at Ft. Custer's Regional Training Institute Building, Augusta, Mich.  Families will be available for interviews one hour prior to the ceremony.  Media will be met at the front gate by an escort and shown to the building. 

(For more information, contact Lt. James Blocker at
(269) 317-1993.)