The Alabama Army National Guard's 152nd Military Police Company, out of Hartselle and Scottsboro, Ala., has been called to active duty, according to a news release.

The 152nd will have a departure ceremony in Hartselle at the Sparkman Civic Center, 406 Nanceford Road, at 2 p.m. Sunday. The general public is invited and encouraged to attend to show their support for the soldiers and their families.

The 152nd Military Police Company will deploy more than 140 Alabama National Guard soldiers to Southwest Asia in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, the release said. The company will provide security forces support to units based there, officials said.

The 152nd previously deployed to Iraq from 2006 to 2007 and conducted detention operations, as well as responded to numerous state domestic operations in times of need following natural disasters, the release said.

The Alabama National Guard has called more than 18,000 personnel to active duty since 9/11, the release said.