In advance of their deployment, the Minnesota National Guard invites the public to attend a pre-deployment ceremony honoring the Soldiers of Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, 151 Field Artillery Regiment on Wednesday, May 28, at 5 p.m. at the Red Baron Arena & Expo, located at 1651 Victory Dr., Marshall “Our Soldiers are prepared for and dedicated to this mission,” said Alpha Battery Commander, Army Capt. Dan Meyer, “They bring with them a deep sense of duty and professionalism, strengthened by the support of their families and communities back home.”
This summer, approximately 70 Soldiers from the battery will deploy to the Middle East in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. The mission of Alpha Battery is to provide timely and accurate artillery fires in support of maneuver ground units operating in the U.S. Central Command region. The deployment is part of a regularly scheduled rotation with the Iowa-based 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division.
The Soldiers, who hail from 65 communities across Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Michigan, will first report to Fort Johnson, Louisiana for a Joint Readiness Training Center rotation, followed by approximately four weeks of premobilization training. They are expected to return home in May 2026.
The ceremony will provide an opportunity for family members, friends, and community supporters to send their well wishes and show appreciation.
“Going away ceremonies, like this one, are incredibly meaningful and emotional for the Soldiers and their families,” said Carmen Brunsvold, the Montevideo-based Soldier & Family Readiness Specialist for the Minnesota National Guard. “It’s a moment to pause, honor the commitment they are making, and remind our Soldiers that when they deploy, they go with the love, support, and encouragement of their entire community behind them and their families.”
