MP Company deploys to Kuwait

The long string of goodbyes to deploying Nevada Army Guard Soldiers continued this month as family members, friends and government officials including Gov. Brian Sandoval bid farewell to the 485th Military Company at the Army Aviation Support Facility.

The 485th, which was formerly located in Fallon, has several soldiers from the immediate area deploying to Kuwait.

The departure of the 485th raised the number of Nevada Army Guard units currently mobilized to five. Nearly 600 Nevada Army Guard Soldiers — about 20 percent — are now deployed around the globe.

Speaking at his fifth deployment ceremony since last November when he bid farewell to the 137th Military Police Detachment, Sandoval thanked the Nevada Soldiers for their service to both state and country. He also spoke at the deployment ceremonies for the 17th Sustainment Brigade and 422nd Expeditionary Signal Battalion (Horn of Africa element) in January, and Company B, 422nd Signal Battalion, in April.

“Thank you to the incredible Nevadans fighting for our country; the Nevada family is grateful for your service,” Sandoval said.

While deployed, the 485th will conduct customs and border control duties in Kuwait and neighboring countries. They are set to return to the Silver State in about one year.

The 485th MPs last deployed in July 2011 when about 125 of its Soldiers went to Bagram, Afghanistan, to provide security at the Parwan Detention Facility. During their tour, the Soldiers helped secure a detainee population of more than 2,400 individuals. No casualties were reported.

Other dignitaries at the event included Rep. Joe Heck, Adjutant General Brig. Gen. Bill Burks and Brig. Gen. Michael Hanifan, commander of the Nevada Army Guard.

“I have said it before and I will say it again: Being a Guard member in today’s military is a difficult balancing act of family, work and the Guard,” Burks said. “I would like to reserve a special thank you for those family members, friends and employers in attendance; the National Guard could not deploy Soldiers without you and your support.”

The tide of exiting Soldiers is set to turn in October when the 137th concludes its mission to Afghanistan and returns to Las Vegas. The 17th is set to return in November and the two signal battalion elements will return by the end of winter.