Overview
- Friends, family, and Guard leaders held a farewell ceremony Monday at the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Mustang.
- The contingent, organized as Task Force Thunder, was formally released to depart in the coming days.
- Gov. Kevin Stitt authorized volunteers for the stateside support mission, which the Guard described as standard practice.
- Maj. Gen. Thomas H. Mancino praised the troops and emphasized that participation is voluntary.
- Local coverage reported mixed public reaction and noted the Guard would not detail specific duties, with questions remaining about funding.