ROLAND R. WRIGHT AIR BASE, Utah—Nearly 100 Soldiers from the Utah National Guard were scheduled to deploy to the Middle East on Monday from the Utah National Guard’s Roland Wright Air Base.
A ceremony was held at 3 p.m. for the deploying aoldiers. Following the ceremony, they boarded a chartered flight to travel to Fort Bliss, Texas, for additional training prior to deploying overseas.
This is the second of two, nine-month deployment rotations; this unit will replace the Utah Guard element that deployed September 2017.
Scheduled speakers at the ceremony included the Assistant Adjutant General of the Utah National Guard, Brig. Gen. Dallen S. Atack and the 145th Field Artillery Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Erick R. Wiedmeier.
“The mission that we have been given is full of opportunity,” said Capt. Jared Sorensen, commander Echo Battery. “An opportunity to become better trained, better educated, and stronger both physically and mentally.”
Echo Battery, 1st Battalion, 145th Field Artillery, part of Utah Guard’s oldest military unit, will be deploying to provide vital security support for forces in the region and conducting artillery missions with Middle Eastern partners.
Sorensen is confident in the training and readiness of his formation stating “Despite the challenges ahead, the Soldiers of the 145th will improve conditions in the region and come home better for their service.”
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