By Maj. Benjamin Hughes
DUNDALK, Md. — More than 300 Maryland Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 1st Battalion, 175th Infantry Regiment gathered with family members, friends, and military leaders at the Dundalk Readiness Center for a deployment ceremony before departing for a mission in East Africa, September 28, 2026.
The Soldiers are deploying in support of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, where they will support U.S. military operations and work with partner forces on regional security and counterterrorism efforts. Maryland Lt. Governor Aruna Miller hosted the ceremony and the 229th Army Band provided ceremonial music.
“As you prepare to deploy and serve our country, know that you carry with you gratitude, deep respect, and the pride of the Old Line state,” said Miller. “A mission of this importance doesn’t begin on the day of deployment. It is built through months of preparation, years of training, and leaders who shoulder the responsibility of ensuring when our nation calls, our Soldiers are ready to meet the demands of the mission. We look forward to when the Soldiers return to Maryland, mission complete, home again, and back in your arms.”
As the battalion prepared for the deployment, they were additionally tasked with National Guard Response Force training and were activated on state active duty for winter-weather response efforts across Maryland. The battalion’s Soldiers also supported security operations in Washington, D.C., during the nation’s 250th birthday celebration.
“The path to this deployment required flexibility and perseverance,” said Brig. Gen. Andrew W. Collins, commander of the Maryland Army National Guard. “Some of these Soldiers prepared for a mission in Kosovo, only to receive a change of mission to focus on the Horn of Africa. That kind of change tests an organization. It requires leaders and Soldiers who can adjust quickly and continue moving forward without losing momentum.”
In 2024, the battalion participated in African Lion, a multinational exercise where Maryland Soldiers trained alongside military personnel from partner nations in Africa. The exercise provided an opportunity for the Soldiers to get familiar with the operational environment and work alongside international partners.
“And I know what kind of formation we are sending forward,” said Col. Adam Tiffen, commander of the Maryland Army National Guard’s 58th Troop Command. “Over the last year, I have watched this battalion prepare for this deployment. I have watched your leaders work through problems, watched Soldiers step forward when they were needed, and watched this formation come together around a common mission.”
Following the ceremony, the battalion hosted a family day for Soldiers and their families featuring food, carnival games, and a moonbounce. First Sgt. Jordan Laubach led the planning, coordination, and execution of the large-scale departure ceremony and secured more than $18,500 in community support from local community organizations and businesses. It was a small break after a busy season of preparation.
“Just getting to this point has been an immense operational hurdle over the past year,” said Lt. Col. Joseph Mucci, commander of the 1-175th Infantry Regiment. “We’ve navigated countless meetings, crew and training cycles, last-minute taskers, and endless checklists. You’ve already sacrificed long days away from home, taken late-night calls, and answered sudden activations. Most remarkably, when our mission and even our destination completely shifted just a few months ago, you didn’t blink. You adapted like the true of professionals that you are. The leadership and grit demonstrated across all ranks over this past year has been inspiring. You have my deepest respect and sincere appreciation.”
The battalion traces its lineage to the Baltimore Independent Cadets, organized in 1774, making it one of the oldest continuously serving military formations in the United States. The regiment has served in conflicts ranging from the Revolutionary War and War of 1812 to the Civil War, World War I, and World War II, as well as more recent overseas deployments, including missions in Iraq and the Sinai Peninsula. The unit has also supported numerous domestic operations, including emergency response and security missions.
“Carry the legacy of this battalion with pride, accomplish your mission, and return home safe knowing you represented your state and nation with honor,” said Collins.
