Minnesota Soldiers Return After 11 Month Deployment To Middle East, Afghanistan

(KNSI) – More than 1000 Minnesota National Guard soldiers are back home from a deployment to the Middle East. Based in Brainerd, Task Force 1-194

Photo by Sgt. Mahsima Alkamooneh Minnesota National Guard

started returning to Minnesota on Friday after a nearly year-long deployment. The unit went overseas in March 2021 in support of Operation Freedom Sentinel and Spartan Shield.

“Our Soldiers had a successful and historic deployment executing missions at 12 locations in nine different countries,” said Army Lt. Col. Jake Helgestad, Task Force 1-194 Commander. “The Soldiers participated in the largest U.S. ground exercise with the Egyptian military, the first-ever trilateral exercise between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait Land Forces, and U.S. forces, conducted operations in Syria, guarded key regional U.S. infrastructure, and participated in the withdrawal of Afghanistan.”

Photo by Sgt. Mahsima Alkamooneh Minnesota National Guard

While deployed, the Task Force was responsible for the Operation Spartan Shield Response force mission throughout the Middle East to respond to any emergencies and provide support to units while conducting training exercises with allies in the Middle East.

According to military officials, TF 1-194 was essential in supporting allies in Afghanistan at Hamad Karzai International Airport in Kabul. The unit worked alongside the Air Force and Marines to evacuate as many vulnerable Afghan citizens and allied personnel as possible.

“We had Soldiers on the ground in Kabul securing the airport while we simultaneously provided medical screening, and camp support, to over 5,000 Afghan civilians in Kuwait,” said Helgestad. “The success of the Task Force is a direct reflection of the professionalism of all its Soldiers. It only adds to the history of the 1-194 regiment and 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team.”

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