Pennsylvania Army Guard Soldiers Bound for Mideast Mission

HARRISBURG, Pa. - Nearly 50 Soldiers with the Pennsylvania National Guard's 213th Personnel Company were honored during a deployment ceremony Aug. 4 at the Keystone Conference Center.

A company under the 728th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 213th Regional Support Group, these Soldiers are preparing to leave their homes and loved ones for a year-long deployment to Kuwait and Jordan. They will serve with Task Force Spartan, supporting U.S. Central Command's mission to increase regional security and stability in support of U.S. interests.

"I have the utmost faith and confidence in our Soldiers," said Capt. Michael Medvec, commander of the 213th Personnel Company. "They live the Army values and will make this unit and the Pennsylvania Army National Guard proud. I thank them for answering the call and stepping up to the challenges they've been faced with."

The Soldiers and their families were praised for their dedication to duty and selfless service. Col. Frank Montgomery, commander of the 213th RSG, and Maj. Bryson Meczywor, commander of the 728th CSSB, shared remarks during the ceremony.

Brig. Gen. Laura McHugh, deputy adjutant general-Army, also attended the ceremony.

The 213th PC will give U.S. CENTCOM capabilities in theater gateway operations, personnel accountability, casualty operations and postal operations. The unit is based at Fort Indiantown Gap, but its Soldiers come from across the commonwealth and some neighboring states.