Pennsylvania Guard mobilizes for Europe deployment

FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. - Ten Soldiers with the Pennsylvania National Guard's 109th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, or MPAD, were honored during a deployment ceremony Dec. 13 at the Keystone Conference Center.

Part of the 213th Regional Support Group, the 109th MPAD members are leaving their homes and loved ones for a year-long deployment to Europe. They will serve with U.S. Special Operations Command Europe, or SOCEUR, supporting the Department of War's European Defense Initiative.

The Soldiers and their loved ones were praised for their dedication to duty and selfless service during the ceremony.

"Every one of our teammates here is talented, has won awards," Maj. Gen. John Pippy, adjutant general of Pennsylvania, said during the ceremony. "But more importantly, [they] have helped us tell the story of the Pennsylvania National Guard."

Overseas, the 109th MPAD will deliver essential public affairs planning and coverage of SOCEUR's mission to collaborate, train and provide deterrence alongside allies. The mission enables the Department of War to fulfill its mandate to maintain transparency with the public by releasing timely, accurate information.

The European Defense Initiative strengthens the U.S. military presence and readiness in Europe and aims to enhance the security and capacity of NATO allies and regional partners.

"Readiness isn't just about repetition and rehearsals," said Maj. Travis Mueller, commander of the 109th MPAD. "It's about character. It's about staying late and lifting each other through the grind."

Members of the 109th MPAD have undergone rigorous training since 2021 to prepare for this deployment. They trained in multiple physical requirements that are typical of working alongside special operations units, including annual 12-mile ruck marches and fitness tests. Soldiers completed multiple real-world media engagements and newsroom visits. Soldiers covered major exercises overseas, including in Tunisia in 2023 and Germany in 2024. In April, the unit endured a field training exercise simulating combat media operations.

Additionally, the unit passed a rigorous validation exercise involving real-world events requiring public affairs coverage, including producing photo, video, and news content, as well as engaging with local news reporters.

In total, the 109th MPAD has released more than 5,329 images, 558 videos, and 106 news stories to the public since 2021.

"You're trained. You're prepared, and you've committed yourself to excellence," said Col. Jeremy Coleman, commander of the 213th Regional Support Group.

Several members of the unit who are deploying are recipients of the Maj. Gen. Keith L. Ware Communications Awards Competition, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal or inductees into the Honorable Order of St. Gabriel by the Army Public Affairs Association.