Conn. Army Guard deploys 700 to Mideast - Army News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Army Times

Conn. Army Guard deploys 700 to Mideast

HARTFORD, Conn. — Two units of the Connecticut Army National Guard are sending 700 soldiers to the Middle East in the largest single deployment of Connecticut guard members since the Korean War.

A send-off ceremony was held at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford on Sunday. Gov. M. Jodi Rell was among the dignitaries, shaking hands with many of the soldiers.

Tearful family members posed for photographs with their loved ones and waved American flags.

Rell's office says the 102nd Infantry will help train Afghanistan's Army, police and border police forces. Its units are located in Norwalk, Manchester, New Britain, Branford and Southington.

The departing troops also include members of the 250th Engineer Company of New London. Their job will be to ensure safe routes for troops on the move in Iraq.