506th Military Police Company prepares to deploy

Soldiers with the 506th Military Police Company, 420th Chemical Battalion, 96th Troop Command, prepare to mobilize at their pre-deployment ceremony, Aug. 8, 2018, Camp Murray, Wash.  (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Alec Dionne)

506th Military Police Company prepares to deploy

As Washington National Guardsmen mobilize to fight active wildfires across our state, others are preparing to head overseas to help with the ongoing federal war fight.

On Aug. 8, 25 soldiers with the 506th Military Police Company, 420th Chemical Battalion, 96th Troop Command, gathered at Camp Murray, Wash, for a pre-deployment ceremony ahead of their mobilization to the Middle East to perform law enforcement duties.

“The soldiers of the unit are excited to have the opportunity to use the skills and the training that they have been working on,” said Cpt. Kallie Kiaunis, Commander of the 506th Military Police Company.

Since the start of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2002 more than 14,000 Washington National Guardsmen have answered the call to deploy with their active counterparts. This will be the third deployment for the 506th in the past 15 years. The company deployed in 2007-2008 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and again in 2012-2013 to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

“The 506th is comprised of well-trained professionals who will accomplish their mission and represent our state and nation proudly,” said Maj. Gen. Bret Daugherty, the Adjutant General. “We will miss them while they’re gone, but are comforted knowing they’re effectively performing this important mission.”