Wyoming Army Guard 2-300th Field Artillery Regiment deploys

The Wyoming National Guard held send-off ceremonies for different batteries of the 2nd Battalion, 300th Field Artillery Regiment in Torrington, Gillette, Lander and Casper on July 30, supporting the soldiers and their families as they embark on their eighth deployment in the past 20 years.

The send-off ceremony formally recognizes the soldiers and their families who are about to deploy. It also demonstrates that they have the full support of their community, leadership and loved ones, according to Lt. Col. Michael Kingman, 2-300th commander.

This is the first full battalion deployment in more than 70 years to conduct a field artillery mission.

“This deployment marks the eighth time since September 11, 2001, that this formation has answered the nation’s call,” Kingman said. “Most of those deployments involved only portions of the battalion. This mission marks the first time the battalion has deployed as an integrated whole on a field artillery mission since the Korean War.”

More than 360 soldiers will deploy to several Middle Eastern countries to support Operations Spartan Shield and Inherent Resolve.