 More than 150 soldiers based out of Camp Ripley will soon be deployed to Kuwait in support of Operation Freedom's Sentinel. Tomorrow, the 851st Vertical Engineer Company will leave for Texas and will train for about one month. Once final tests are complete, the group will head out to Kuwait for a nine-month-long engineer-supported mission. With many carpenters, electricians and plumbers in the company, their main focus will be construction throughout the Middle East Command Center. They're some of the best here in Minnesota National Guard. They're smart. They are motivated. They've been doing a lot of great work over last year and so I anticipate that that will continue as we move forward. And I look forward to working with them and see them work through the Texas and then getting over to Kuwait and see the work they do there. For over 90 percent of soldiers in that company, this will be their first deployment. If you enjoyed this segment of Lakeland News, please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to Lakeland PBS.