More than 2,600 members of the Minnesota National Guard
are currently deployed in Kuwait in support of Operation New Dawn. The 1st
Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division (1/34th BCT) provided security
for remaining convoys coming out of Iraq. They are due to return from their
1-year tour this spring.

"Through the professionalism of the soldiers and support of their hometown
communities, employers, and families, the Minnesota National Guard completed
all missions in Iraq with success and honor," said Rochester, Minn. native
Col. Eric D. Kerska, 1/34th BCT commander. "We drove 2.5 million miles and
1,800 missions and everybody made it. No Red Bulls were seriously hurt."
Listen to interview: http://www.dvidshub.net/audio/29021/col-eric-kerska


Duluth, Mora, Minn.
Now that the troops are out of Iraq, many of the Red Bulls have extra time to
relax after many months of working hard with providing convoy escort teams to
the troops and logistical draw down from Iraq. Listen to Staff Sgt. Jesse
Sigurdsen from Mora, Minn. as he talks about the upcoming training and morale
activities for the 1st Squadron, 94th Cavalry.
http://www.dvidshub.net/video/133872/staff-sgt-jesse-sigurdsen-interview
Relevant B-Roll available at http://www.dvidshub.net/units/1-34bct.

Mankato, Rochester, Minn.
Recently, the 2-135 IN from southern, Minn. conducted joint forces training
with the Kuwait National Guard. Take a look at the interview from Cpl.
Andrew Jacobs as he talks about his experience with working with the allied
forces during this live fire exercise.
http://www.dvidshub.net/video/134020/cpl-andrew-jacobs

New Ulm, Minn.
Often, deployments can provide opportunities for training that is not
available during a Guardsmen traditional guard weekend. Take a look at this
B-Roll of combat medics from 1st Battalion, 125th Field Artillery and
civilian Emergency Medical Services, working together on loading and
unloading litter patients into a Navy aircraft at Kuwait Naval Base.
http://www.dvidshub.net/video/134022/picking-up-litter

Pipestone, Minn.
Being deployed during the holidays can be hard for every soldier. A few
soldiers of 1/34th BCT have extra special support system during this
deployment, biological family. Listen to Spc. Brittany DeGroot from 1st
Battalion, 125th Field Artillery as she talks about being deployed with her
sister and father during her year-long tour in Kuwait.
http://www.dvidshub.net/video/133995/spc-brittany-degroot
Additional interviews with sister and father are available upon request.

Waterville, Minn.
Some of the soldiers who deployed in 2006 are currently deployed again with
the 1/34th BCT in support of Operation New Dawn in Kuwait, like Sgt. 1st
Class Michael Felski of 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 194th Armor.
http://www.dvidshub.net/video/132941/sfc-michael-felske

The mission in Kuwait is the largest deployment of Minnesota Guardsmen since
World War II, and the brigade played a significant role. The brigade's
mission included base management, convoy security, reaction forces, and
management of specialized units from the Army, Navy and Coast Guard. The
brigade drove 1.35 million miles and escorted 25,970 trucks during 480
missions prior to the last U.S. military convoy departing Iraq through a 1st
Brigade border checkpoint on Dec. 18.
The 1/34th BCT was also an important part of the 2006 "surge." As a result of
the extension of their tour to 16 months in Iraq, and 22 months overall, the
"Red Bulls" are recognized as having served the longest tour of duty in Iraq
of any military unit, active or reserve.