Minnesota National Guard Soldiers Leave Hamid Karzai International Airport

Originally posted September 1st. Updated September 5th to include pictures taken from the mission.

(KNSI) — Minnesota National Guard troops have left Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan.

The 1,100 soldiers from St. Cloud-based Task Force 1-194, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 34th Red Bull Infantry Division deployed in March 2021 in support of Operation Spartan Shield and Operation Enduring Freedom in Kuwait. Less than two weeks ago, more than 400 soldiers from TF 1-194 rapidly deployed to HKIA to provide perimeter security at the airport. The army says Task Force 1-194 was positioned to respond alongside units from the 82nd Airborne Division, 10th Mountain Division, Marine Special Purpose Air-Ground Task Force, and Marine Expeditionary Unit. In addition, 1-194 soldiers provided humanitarian assistance to U.S. citizens, Special Immigrant Visa holders, and their families. While there, the airport was attacked by the group ISIS-K. That attack killed 13 U.S. service members and 169 Afghans. None of them were with the Minnesota National Guard.

On Monday, Minnesota National Guard leadership received notification that all 1-194 soldiers supporting the efforts in Afghanistan had safely returned to Camp Buehring, Kuwait. Along with the St. Cloud-based unit, Task Force 1-194 includes units from Sauk Centre, Brainerd, Camp Ripley, Detroit Lakes, St. Paul, Crookston, and Cottage Grove.

The unit is expected to return to Minnesota this winter.

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Soldiers from the Minnesota-based 34th Infantry Division prepare to enter a military aircraft Aug. 31, 2021, in Kabul, Afghanistan, for their flight to Kuwait. Known as the Red Bulls – the National Guard Soldiers were some of the last American servicemembers to leave Afghanistan. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Michael Evans)

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Soldiers from the Minnesota-based 34th Infantry Division board a military aircraft Aug. 31, 2021, for their flight to Kuwait from Kabul, Afghanistan. Known as the Red Bulls – the National Guard Soldiers were some of the last American servicemembers to leave Afghanistan. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Michael Evans)

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Soldiers from the Minnesota-based 34th Infantry Division smile shortly after their flight from Kabul, Afghanistan, landed Aug. 31, 2021, in Kuwait. Known as the Red Bulls – the National Guard Soldiers were some of the last American servicemembers to leave Afghanistan. (U.S. Army Photo by Cpl. Bridget Haugh)

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Soldiers from the Minnesota-based 34th Infantry Division await further transportation shortly after their flight from Kabul, Afghanistan, landed Aug. 31, 2021, in Kuwait. Known as the Red Bulls – the National Guard Soldiers were some of the last American servicemembers to leave Afghanistan. (U.S. Army photo by 1st Lt. Kaitlyn Conner)

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Maj. Gen. John Rhodes, Task Force Spartan and 29th Infantry Division commanding general, welcomes Soldiers from the Minnesota-based 34th Infantry Division, Aug. 31, 2021, shortly after their planes landed in Kuwait. Known as the Red Bulls – the National Guard Soldiers were some of the last American servicemembers to leave Afghanistan. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Charles Anderson)

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