November 2023 — MHCE Newsletter

WWW.MHCE.US Monthly Newsletter | 25
Defense Secretary Lloyd
Austin gave pre-deployment
orders to about 2,000 troops
earlier this month for a
possible mission to the
Middle East. Last week 900
troops were deployed.
Washington National
Guard Military Police
Detachment to Deploy to
Middle East
The 506th Military Police
Detachment with the
Washington
National
Guard will soon deploy
to the Middle East for a
nine-month tour in support
of ongoing operations in
Jordan.
The detachment, composed
of approximately 45
military police personnel
and support staff, will
work for the Joint Training
Center-Jordan. The center
trains U.S. and Jordanian
soldiers on combat and
border security skills as part
of the Jordan Operational
Engagement Program, a
Washington National Guard
news release said.
nation,” said Maj. Gen.
Bret Daugherty, the
state’s adjutant general
and commander of the
Washington
National
Guard. “We will miss them
while they’re gone but are
comforted knowing they’re
effectively performing this
important work.”
Formed in September 2005,
the 506th is headquartered at
Joint Base Lewis-McChord
and has deployed four times
in 15 years, including in
2007-2008 in support of
Operation Iraqi Freedom,
and 2012-2013 and again in
2018-2019 to Afghanistan
in support of Operation
Enduring Freedom.
Monday by the Pentagon.
The 300 troops are deploying
to “provide capabilities in
explosive ordnance disposal,
communications and other
support enablers for forces
already in the region,”
Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat
Ryder, the Pentagon’s top
spokesman.
These deployments come
as tensions have risen in the
region following Hamas’
attack on Israel, which killed
more than 1,400 people.
More than 200 people were
taken hostage, and Israel has
intensified attacks on Gaza.
None of the U.S. troops
are deploying to Gaza, the
Defense Department has
previously said.
“The 506th is comprised of
well-trained professionals
who will accomplish
their mission and proudly
represent our state and
This deployment has been
planned for about a year
and is separate from a
deployment of 300 troops to
the Middle East announced