Governor DeWine Recognizes Ohio Soldiers Deploying to Middle East

(CANTON, Ohio)?Today, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine recognized nearly 600 Ohio National Guard soldiers who are preparing to deploy to the Middle East.

Troops with the 1st Battalion, 145th Armored Regiment, which is headquartered in Stow, are deploying in support of Operation Spartan Shield.

Once overseas, the unit will be part of the 30th Armored Brigade Combat Team, which consists of 4,200 National Guard members from Ohio, West Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.

"You are strong men and women, you are trained, and you are ready to fulfill your duties for Operation Spartan Shield," said Governor DeWine as he addressed the soldiers and their families during a call-to-duty ceremony this afternoon. "Godspeed as you leave for your deployment, and we look forward to welcoming you back next year."?

?I am extremely proud of these Citizen-Soldiers. They had just a few short months to prepare for this mission. They stepped up, executed their training, and are now ready to deploy overseas,? said Maj. Gen. John C. Harris Jr., Ohio adjutant general.

The 30th Armored Brigade Combat Team will replace the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, as part of a regular rotation of forces.

In 2009, about 450 members of the 1-145th Armored Regiment returned from a yearlong deployment in support of the Multinational Force and Observers international peacekeeping mission in the Sinai.?

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