Minnesota National Guard unit is headed for the Middle East

Soldiers from the area Minnesota National Guard unit will be deploying overseas this summer, the Minnesota National Guard said this week.

Around 70 soldiers from Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, 151 Field Artillery Regiment will deploy to the Middle East. They are expected to return home in May 2026.

A public pre-deployment ceremony starting at 5 p.m. Wednesday honoring the National Guard soldiers will take place at the Red Baron Arena and Expo, the Minnesota National Guard said in a news release. 

Alpha Battery will be supporting Operation Inherent Resolve, a combined joint task force that helps partnered forces in the Middle East. Alpha Battery’s mission is to provide artillery fires in support of maneuvering ground units in the U.S. Central Command region, the National Guard news release said.

The soldiers will first report to Fort Johnson, Louisiana, for a Joint Readiness Training Center rotation, followed by about four weeks of training.