SMYRNA, Tenn. (AP) – Soldiers from the Tennessee National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 181st Field Artillery Regiment, deployed on Sunday for a 10-month tour of the Middle East.
A farewell ceremony took place at Smyrna’s Volunteer Training Site, and those in attendance included Gov. Bill Lee and first lady Maria Lee.
Lt. Col. Phillip Hill Jr., 1-181st Battalion Commander, said many of the more than 350 departing soldiers have assisted with efforts to fight COVID-19 over the past year.
“We are trained, ready, and the soldiers of this battalion have displayed an ability to step up and meet every challenge,” he said.
The 1-181st is headquartered in Chattanooga with units from Dayton, Fayetteville, Lawrenceburg, and Pulaski. They are initially headed to Fort Bliss, Texas, for training before deploying overseas.