Bangor National Guard Unit Deploying To Poland

Maine's Adjutant General announced this week that 69 National Guard Members from Bangor will deploy next month to Poland.

Major General Douglas Farnham says the soldiers will be heading to Powidz, Poland in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve. The mission aims to build readiness, increase inter-operability, and enhance bonds between ally and partner military personnel. Training will take place in Bulgaria, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Romania.

Commander of the 286th, Colonel John Wilmot said in a media release that the unit has some of the best soldiers he's ever worked with. "The unit is made up largely of Soldiers that have specifically volunteered for this mission and they have an authentic commitment to each other, the mission, and their country." The 286th will be assigned to the 16th Sustainment Brigade, headquartered in Baumholder, Germany. They're expected to return to Maine in late January or early February of 2020.

A send-off ceremony in the Bangor area is still in the planning stages. Details will be released at a later date.