Mason City, Iowa — About 160 Iowa National Guard soldiers have begun their year-long deployment to support U.S. and NATO operations in Poland.
The soldiers are from the Iowa National Guard’s 1133rd Transportation Company, based in Mason City with a detachment in Iowa City. Iowa National Guard Adjutant General Ben Corell addressed the soldiers during a send-off ceremony Sunday in Mason City.
Corell had a message for the families in the audience.
Corell described the 1133rd as part of a military tradition that draws its strength from those who volunteer.
The 1133rd left Mason City on November 6th, headed for Food Hood in Texas to complete their final training and readiness checks before deploying overseas. The unit was last activated in 2008 to support Operations Noble Eagle, Iraqi Freedom and the global war on terrorism.
The 1133rd Transportation Company is being accompanied by 15-20 soldiers from the 2168th Transportation Company based in Sheldon.
Above Image Attribution: U.S.Army, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
