COLUMBIA – A ceremony honoring some of the national guardsmen being deployed to the country of Kosovo in southeastern Europe will be held Saturday afternoon at Union County High School (UCHS).

The South Carolina National Guard has announced that the HHC, 218th MEB, 132nd MP Company, Co. B 1-118th CAB, HHC 1-118th CAB, Co. C 1-118th CAB, and Co. D 1-118th CAB will be leaving this month for a 12-month deployment in Kosovo. A total of 500 South Carolina guardsmen along with guardsmen from nine other states are taking part in the deployment. The deployed units will provide command for Multinational Battle Group East in Kosovo, conduct peace enforcement operations and ensure a safe and secure environment and freedom of movement throughout the Area of Operations, in order to transfer all responsibilities and authority to the government of Kosovo.

A series of deployment ceremonies are scheduled for the departing units, the last being Saturday at 1 p.m. at UCHS. Saturday’s ceremony will be for the members of the HHC 1-118th CAB, Co. C 1-118th CAB, and Co. D 1-118th CAB.

The South Carolina National Guard comprises more than 11,000 soldiers and sirmen who serve their state and nation. South Carolina National Guard members deploy worldwide when called by the National Command Authority or governor. For additional information, please call 803-391-0166, 803-806-4327.