FOLEY, Ala. (WKRG) — Several members of an Alabama National Guard unit based out of Foley will deploy to the Middle East.
About 200 soldiers will deploy under the First Battalion of the 173rd Infantry Regiment. In Foley, about 85 members of the C company prepared their gear and packed their bags Saturday. They’re heading to Egypt in a month.
During the year-long deployment, an Alabama National Guard spokesperson said members of the 1-173rd will support “Multinational Force and Observers – Task Force Sinai.” Their job is to help maintain the peace treaty between Egypt and Israel. Some family members came to support their relatives headed to a long deployment.
"Nervous but happy at the same time," said Justin Thicklin, a parent of a Foley guardsman. "I feel he’s doing something good for h