Minnesota National Guard troops deploy to Iraq
by The Associated Press
 
MINNEAPOLIS -- More than 700 Minnesota National Guard soldiers are heading to Iraq.

Members of the St. Paul-based 34th Combat Aviation Brigade will first travel to Fort Sill, Oklahoma, for training and then head overseas as a part of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

A deployment ceremony is scheduled for Saturday morning at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Governor Tim Pawlenty plans to speak at the event.

Members of the 34th Combat Aviation Brigade direct, command and maintain Blackhawk, Apache and Chinook helicopters.

Officials say the troops will help transport cargo, personnel and materials in Iraq.