LANSING, Mich. - The 177th Military Police Brigade, Michigan Army National in Taylor, Mich., will host a deployment ceremony Saturday at 3:30 p.m. for nearly 90 Guardsmen from the 177th who will deploy next month in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

 An "advance party" of 29 members will depart Sunday for Fort Bliss, Texas, where the unit will complete Soldier readiness processing before deploying to Iraq. The remaining Soldiers depart May 5, and will meet up with the advance party at Fort Bliss.

 While deployed, the Guardsmen will serve as the higher headquarters for other units deployed to the same area.

 Today, approximately 1,500 Michigan National Guard Soldiers and Airmen are deployed across the globe at locations such as Iraq, Kuwait, Afghanistan, and Kosovo. Since Sept. 11, 2001, approximately 85 percent of the Michigan Guard has 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 located at the Taylor Armory, 12450 Beech Daly Rd., Taylor, Mich. Family and friends of the deploying Soldiers will arrive early and are available for interviews at 2:30 p.m.

 For more information, contact Maj. Dawn Dancer at work (517) 481-8140, or cell (517) 896-0860.