Taylor soldiers depart for TX then Iraq

Approximately 14 Michigan National Guard soldiers from the Taylor-based 777th Military Police Detachment departed Monday in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The soldiers will train for about four weeks at Fort Bliss, Texas before they deploy to Iraq for a 12-month tour of duty, according to a news release.

In Iraq, they will oversee detainee operations, specifically managing the records and belongings of detainees. The 777th will replace an Army Reserve unit from Terra Haute, Ind.

Today, more than 1,000 Michigan National Guard soldiers and airmen are deployed across the world in support of the war on terrorism; however, as the Michigan Guard serves the nation abroad, more than 85 percent of the force is available, trained and ready to respond to a state emergency including a terrorist event.