Selfridge ANGB, MI - March 7, 2007 - Just over two years after returning home from their tour of duty in Iraq, the men of Company, 425 INF (ABN) (LRS) will conduct a joint operation during the annual Long Range Surveillance Challenge.

The event will begin at 1:00 pm on Saturday, March 10th with a CH-47 (Chinook) low-level flight conducted by Detachment 1, Company G, 185th Aviation.

Long Range Surveillance operations are carried out by small, highly trained teams who infiltrate and exfiltrate contested areas by air, parachute, ground, water, or a combination of these methods to conduct reconnaissance and surveillance missions. These two units from the Michigan Army National Guard have been deployed to Iraq in support of the global war on terror and were able to bring every Soldier home due to training events like this one.  The Annual LRS challenge will put the Soldiers through a variety of technical and physical events to test their skills. Including a "field expedient litter carry" for 2.5 miles, a long- range spotting scope exercise to identify foreign vehicles and aircraft, a 4.5 mile rucksack march with 45 pounds of gear, a radio communication event, an obstacle course, and a 1.5 mile run with two five-gallon water cans.

This annual event is conducted to test critical skills, build team cohesion, and maintain the necessary level of combat readiness. Visitors and media representatives will observe first-hand the intensity and discipline demonstrated by the Soldiers of Company F as they train for the next chapter in the long history of this specialized unit.