Alaska Guard Soldiers set to deploy to Middle East honored during ceremony

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON — 49th Personnel Detachment Alaska Army National Guardsmen were honored during a deployment ceremony at the Camp Carroll flagpole on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Saturday, June 1.

According to a recent press release, nine soldiers will deploy to Kuwait in support of Operation Spartan Shield.

The press release indicated that Col. Michele Edwards, commander of the 297th Regional Support Group spoke highly of the soldiers’ abilities during the ceremony and said they were ready to face the upcoming mission and whatever challenges come with it.

“This small but mighty group of nine Soldiers will contribute to the Army’s mission – to deploy, fight and win our nation’s wars,” Edwards stated in her speech.

According to the press release, Operation Spartan Shield is considered an important operation within CENTCOM’s efforts that is designed to build up defense relationships and promote stability in the Middle East.

The Alaska National Guard unit will conduct personnel accountability for service members traveling within the CENTCOM area of responsibility, according to the press release which indicated that this mission is an important way to ensure the efficient and secure movement of military personnel throughout the region.

"Basically, what a theater gateway does is we help move people who just got off the plane,” said Maj. Alex McMahan, commander of the 49th TG stated in the press release. “Not everyone is going to end up in Kuwait. They need to go out into CENTCOM and perform their mission. So, our job is to track them and to help them move to their next destination."

The deployment ceremony was a chance for families, friends, and fellow service members to say goodbye to the outbound soldiers.

"Thank you all for your dedication, selfless service, and commitment to our nation,” Edwards stated in her speech. “You are outstanding individual Soldiers, but together your strength is found through unity.”

The unit will conduct personnel accountability for service members traveling within the CENTCOM area of responsibility, according to the press release which indicated that this mission is an important way to ensure the efficient and secure movement of military personnel throughout the region.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com