Nearly 100 Minnesota National Guard soldiers to deploy over the weekend

Close to 100 Minnesota National Guard soldiers from Battery C, 1st Battalion, 194th Field Artillery based in Alexandria will deploy to U.S. Central Command region in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel over the weekend.

The group will join with around 250 soldiers from Iowa and defend allied positions in Afghanistan, Iraq and Kuwait, according to the National Guard.

“Our Soldiers come from more than 60 Minnesota communities,” said Company 1st Sgt. Adam Vanderwal. “We have worked hard over the last several months to prepare our Soldiers and families for this year-long deployment.”

The community is welcome to wave goodbye to soldiers as their buses head out of Alexandria, Monday, Aug. 3, 2020. Interested persons should line Alexandria’s Broadway Street from Fifth Avenue West to Interstate I-94 starting at 9:30 a.m.