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More than 500 Minn. guardsmen ready for Iraq

ST. CLOUD, Minn. — More than 500 members of the Minnesota National Guard have finished their training at Fort Hood in Texas and are preparing to ship out to Kuwait and Iraq.

Lt. Col. Scott St. Sauver spoke with reporters Friday and described the plans for the 550 soldiers deploying with the 1st Battalion, 151st Field Artillery. They will be headquartered in Kuwait, but run missions in Iraq. The average age of the soldiers is 28.

St. Sauver said the battalion will be in the desert next month for their yearlong deployment providing convoy security, bringing supplies to bases and helping to remove equipment from Iraq as part of the reduction in U.S. forces there.

St. Sauver said his troops have trained well have and the equipment they need to stay safe while they work. “We have a good platform for running missions,” he said.

This is the first deployment for 85 percent of the soldiers, but others are returning for their second and third tours. It’ll be the fourth tour for two of the soldiers. St. Sauver said those experienced soldiers are an important asset.

“They understand the situation better,” he said.

One of the hardest parts of overseas deployments is the toll it takes on families, but he said the Minnesota Guard soldiers will be able to communicate with home by e-mail and telephone.