Lansing Guard members return from Iraq/Kuwait

PRESS RELEASE

November 16, 2005

Lansing, Mich. – Following a 12-month tour in Iraq, 40 Soldiers from the Lansing-based 263rd Personnel Services Detachment, Michigan Army National Guard, will return home tomorrow.

The Soldiers were called to active duty October 2004 and sent to Camp Atterbury, Ind., for in-processing and mission specific training. They then deployed to Kuwait, arriving in country December 7, 2004. From there, the unit was divided into teams and sent to various locations throughout Iraq.

Today, approximately 2,300 Michigan National Guard Soldiers and Airmen are deployed across the globe, at locations such as Iraq, Kuwait, Afghanistan, and Bosnia. Since Sept., 11, 2001, 65 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.

-End-

MEDIA ADVISORY

Media is invited to attend the unit’s welcome home ceremony to be held at the (new) Michigan National Guard Headquarters, 3411 North Martin Luther King Blvd, (1/4 mile north of Grand River Avenue), Lansing, tomorrow, at approximately 2 p.m. (time subject to change). For more information, please call Maj. Dawn Dancer at (517) 481-8140.