Iraq – It was announced today that Governor Tim Pawlenty is in the Middle East to visit with members of the military.

Governor Pawlenty was joined on the trip by Governor Jim Douglas (R-Vermont), Governor Jay Nixon (D-Missouri), Governor Michael Rounds (R-South Dakota), and Governor Deval Patrick (D-Massachusetts). The Governors were invited to participate in the delegation by the U.S. Department of Defense.

Following briefings at the Pentagon with Department of Defense and State Department officials, Governor Pawlenty visited troops at Walter Reed Army Medical Center on Tuesday.

Today, the Governor landed at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait and then traveled to Baghdad, Iraq. Governor Pawlenty had lunch and dinner with troops; met with Lieutenant General Kenneth Hunzeker, Deputy Commander US Forces-Iraq and the NATO Training Mission-Iraq; and received a demonstration of a Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle.

“This is another opportunity to visit with troops serving in Iraq and to personally express Minnesota’s appreciation and respect for them. We are also getting a firsthand update about their important mission,” Governor Pawlenty said.

The Department of Defense announced in July the alert of approximately 2,700 Minnesota National Guard Soldiers of the Bloomington-based 1st Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division to prepare for a deployment in support of Operation New Dawn throughout Kuwait and Iraq in 2011-12. More than 500 Minnesota National Guard Citizen-Soldiers and –Airmen are currently deployed worldwide.

The Minnesota National Guard has had a significant presence throughout the Middle East since 2003. More than 20,000 Minnesota National Guard Citizen-Soldiers and –Airmen have deployed in a variety of combat and combat service support operations:

• The 16-month combat tour in 2005-2006 of the Army National Guard’s 1st Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division was recognized by Congress as the longest combat deployment of any military unit in Iraq.

• The 34th Red Bull Infantry Division Headquarters provided command and control of more than 14,000 U.S. troops in nine of Iraq’s 18 provinces from 2009-2010.

• The Duluth-based Minnesota Air National Guard 148th Fighter Wing has provided important support to ground combat units, including the Tactical Airborne Reconnaissance System (TARS) surveillance system.

• The 133rd Airlift Wing is a reliable provider of intra-theater transportation of personnel, cargo and critical equipment.

“The brave men and women who serve our state and nation in the military have demonstrated their commitment and dedication. We owe them our gratitude in our words and our deeds,” Governor Pawlenty said.