03.04.11 Lt. Governor Attends Deployment Ceremony for Kansas Army National Guard Battalion

Topeka – Kansas Lieutenant Governor Jeff Colyer attended a deployment ceremony for the Kansas Army National Guard 1st Battalion, 161st Field Artillery in Salina on March 2nd. 

“Governor Brownback and I are tremendously proud of the sacrifices that these soldiers are making for their state and nation. It’s easy to forget that our men and women in uniform serve not only in places like Iraq and Afghanistan, but also in places like the Horn of Africa and Armenia. The tireless work and dedication of the Kansas National Guard makes an enormous difference to people all across the world,” Lt. Governor Colyer said. 

The unit is commanded by Lt. Col. Thomas Burke. It’s mission will be to conduct stability operations in Africa to strengthen partner nation and regional security capacity, to enable long-term regional stability, prevent conflict and protect U.S. and Coalition interests. 

The Kansas National Guard has approximately 5,000 Army Guardsmen and 2,200 Air Guardsmen. Roughly 550 members of the Kansas Army Guard are part of the deployment.