HARTFORD, Conn. –
More than 600 Soldiers fr0m 1st Battalion, 102nd Infantry Regiment and the 643rd Military Police Company said goodbye to friends and family during a combined send-off ceremony at Foxwoods Casino Aug. 23, 2025.
This ceremony marks one of the largest deployments of Connecticut National Guard troops in recent years.
“When you send out the national guard, you call out the best of us. When you call out the Connecticut National Guard, you call out the best of America,” said Connecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal.
These mobilizations are part of a pre-scheduled overseas deployment schedule that will send the 1-102nd to multiple locations across the Middle East in support of Contingency Operations, and the 643rd will fall under the Southern Command’s area of responsibility to conduct various military police operations.
“These are great Americans, great citizen soldiers who raised their right hand to be part of something larger than themselves,” Maj. Gen, Francis Evon Jr., adjutant general for the Connecticut National Guard.
Although these Soldiers had to say goodbye to their loved ones, many of the men and women from the 1-102nd and 643rd share a bond that’s just as strong as family, which will help them through their nearly year-long deployment.
“I am in charge of a great group of guys and girls .... They’re like another family,” said Staff Sgt. Devin Barker, assigned to the 1-102nd. “So, I’m leaving my family here for a little bit, and I’m ‘gonna go join them and take care of them.”
During their deployment, the 1-102nd will be responsible for providing base defense, entry control point security, and counter unmanned aerial system (UAS) deterrence.
To prepare for their deployment, the Soldiers of the 1-102nd participated in a variety of training events, including working with NATO partners during an exercise in Greece earlier this year.
The 1-102nd Infantry Regiment last deployed in 2021 to Djibouti in support of Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa. As for the 643rd, it will deploy to an undisclosed location within the U.S. Southern Command’s area of responsibility to provide military police support.
“These Soldiers are well-trained, well led, and ready to answer the nation’s call,” said Evon. “I have confidence they will carry out their missions with professionalism, discipline, and pride, continuing the proud legacy of the Connecticut National Guard.” The 643rd Military Police Company last deployed in 2019 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom to conduct a variety of military police functions.