Soldiers with a Michigan Army National Guard in Grayling soon will leave the U.S. to spend about a year disarming explosives in the Middle East.
The Guard’s 745th Ordnance Company is preparing for its deployment to support Operation Spartan Shield, the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs announced Tuesday in a statement.
“These soldiers will be supporting Operation Spartan Shield throughout the Middle East to strengthen defense relationships and build partner capacity,” said U.S. Army Maj. Megan Breen, commander of the 507th Engineer Battalion. “Their mission will focus on safely identifying, disarming and disposing of hazardous explosive devices and conducting concurrent training with partner nations.”
Soldiers with the company gathered with their families and guests at the Grayling Army Airfield Armory on Tuesday ahead of their departure. The Guard did not provide details regarding exactly when the company would leave or how many people were part of the unit.
“Our military families sacrifice a lot during these long separations and their support is crucial to the success of our soldiers as they deploy overseas,” said Brig. Gen. Ravindra Wagh, assistant adjutant general and commander of the Michigan Army Nation Guard. “It is our mission to support these families while they support their loved ones serving our nation.”
This is the fourth deployment for the 745th Ordnance Company since 9/11 and its first since a June 2020 deployment to the U.S. Central Command Theater in support of Operation Spartan Shield and Operation Inherent Resolve.
According to the U.S. Army, Operation Spartan Shield is designed “to maintain a U.S. military posture in the region to strengthen relationships and build partner capacity.”
“The explosive ordnance disposal mission not only ensures the safety of U.S. and partner nation military operations throughout the region, but also ensures the safety of the local population,” Breen said.
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