National Guard unit to mobilize, deploy to Kuwait

FORT DRUM — Several National Guard soldiers from around the north country will be part of a deployment starting this weekend to assist in security operations in Kuwait.

About 85 local soldiers from the state National Guard’s Headquarters Company B of the 427th Brigade Support Battalion will mobilize and join an estimated 1,800 soldiers from around the state that will be assigned to the 27th Brigade Combat Team.

The New York troops will join 800 National Guard soldiers from South Carolina, along with another 800 from Wisconsin, Alabama, Illinois, Florida, California, Kansas and Michigan.

The brigade will train at Camp Shelby, Miss., then is expected to leave for Kuwait in April.

The soldiers will be on federal active duty for a possible 12 months, but that time could shift depending on changes to mission requirements. Some soldiers may be sent on different missions.

A ceremony for the deploying troops will take place on post at the State Armory, 789 8th St. West, starting at 4 p.m. today.