Hastings National Guard battalion on way to Iraq

Hastings, Minn. (AP) — A deployment ceremony is being held in Hastings for 40 Minnesota National Guard soldiers who are on their way to Iraq.

The members of the Hastings-based C Company, 834th Aviation Support Battalion are leaving Sunday for a training period at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, after which they will head to Iraq.

The Guard says that the 834th Aviation Support Battalion provides logistics, transportation, medical, maintenance and communications support for the 34th Combat Aviation Brigade out of St. Paul. C Company specializes in installation and maintenance of voice and data signal equipment.

The deployment ceremony is being held at 1 p.m. Sunday at Hastings High School.