ST. CLOUD - For the first time ever a Minnesota National Guard unit will be deployed to Guantanamo Bay.

Over 120 Minnesota National Guard soldiers from the 257th Military Police will be deploying to the U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay in support of Joint Task Force Guantanamo.

As part of the Joint Task Force the unit will provide safe, humane, legal, and transparent care and custody at the Guantanamo Detention Facilities.

Commander of the 257th Military Police Company Capt. Jon Schliesing says "our unit is trained and ready to professionally carry out this very important mission."

The 257th Military Police Company deployed to Iraq from 2004-2005 and to Afghanistan from 2012-2013.

You are invited to to attend the deployment ceremony Saturday at 10:00 a.m. at the Monticello High School Auditorium.

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