The United States Army
02/04/2026 | News release | Distributed by Public on 02/05/2026 20:23
Texas Guard’s 36th Infantry Division prepares for Middle East deployment
[Link] 1 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption - Texas Army National Guard Soldiers of the 36th Infantry Division Headquarters and the Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion held a Mobilization Ceremony with their families and friends Jan. 31, 2026, at Camp Mabry in Austin, Texas. The commanding general of the 36th Inf. Div., Maj. Gen. Brad Bowlin, spoke to the gathered families and friends about the readiness of the unit, the devotion to duty and the importance of support for both the Soldiers and the families. As per tradition, the division commander and Lt. Col. Nathan Collier, the HHBN commander, conducted a Review of the Troops walk around the formation. The HHBN is mobilizing in support of Operation Spartan Shield after completing readiness training and will be formally leaving after a casing ceremony planned in March. (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Christina Clardy) VIEW ORIGINAL [Link] 2 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption - Nearly 500 Soldiers assigned to the 36th Infantry Division, Texas Army National Guard, participate in a mobilization ceremony with family members and friends Jan. 31, 2026, at Camp Mabry in Austin. Maj. Gen. Brad Bowlin, commanding general of the 36th Infantry Division, addressed the audience on unit readiness, devotion to duty, and the importance of family support. As part of the ceremony, Bowlin and Lt. Col. Nathan Collier conducted a review of the troops. The division is mobilizing in support of Operation Spartan Shield following completion of readiness training and will formally depart after a casing ceremony scheduled for March. (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Christina Clardy) VIEW ORIGINAL [Link] 3 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption - Nearly 500 Soldiers assigned to the 36th Infantry Division, Texas Army National Guard, participate in a mobilization ceremony with family members and friends Jan. 31, 2026, at Camp Mabry in Austin. Maj. Gen. Brad Bowlin, commanding general of the 36th Infantry Division, addressed the audience on unit readiness, devotion to duty, and the importance of family support. As part of the ceremony, Bowlin and Lt. Col. Nathan Collier conducted a review of the troops. The division is mobilizing in support of Operation Spartan Shield following completion of readiness training and will formally depart after a casing ceremony scheduled for March. (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Christina Clardy) VIEW ORIGINAL [Link] 4 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption - Texas Army National Guard Soldiers of the 36th Infantry Division Headquarters and the Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion held a Mobilization Ceremony with their families and friends Jan. 31, 2026, at Camp Mabry in Austin, Texas. The commanding general of the 36th Inf. Div., Maj. Gen. Brad Bowlin spoke to the gathered families and friends about the unit's readiness, its devotion to duty, and the importance of support for both the Soldiers and their families. As per tradition, the division commander and Lt. Col. Nathan Collier, the HHBN commander, conducted a Review of the Troops walk around the formation. The HHBN is mobilizing in support of Operation Spartan Shield after completing readiness training and will formally depart after a casing ceremony planned for March. (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Christina Clardy) VIEW ORIGINAL
AUSTIN, Texas - Soldiers assigned to the 36th Infantry Division gathered with family members, friends and community leaders Jan. 31 at Camp Mabry for a farewell ceremony as they prepare to deploy to the Middle East in support of Operation Spartan Shield.
The ceremony marked a key milestone in the division's deployment process, recognizing the dedication of service members and the sacrifices their families made. Following the event, the division will continue readiness training and final mission validation before deploying.
Maj. Gen. John "Brad" Bowlin, commander of the 36th Infantry Division, addressed service members and families during the ceremony, emphasizing readiness, leadership and the critical role families play throughout the deployment cycle.
"As we prepare to deploy, we do so grounded in a legacy that began in 1917 and continues today," Bowlin said. "This moment reflects months of preparation and the unwavering commitment of our service members and their families as we move forward ready, disciplined and focused on the mission ahead."
Beyond marking a deployment milestone, the ceremony underscored the people behind the formation - the Soldiers preparing to deploy and the families who support them.
"This deployment gives me the opportunity to contribute in a way that directly supports national defense initiatives and strengthens partnerships with host nations," said Sgt. 1st Class Joshua Caldwell, a senior intelligence analyst with the division. "Working across staff sections to support commanders and the mission is something I take pride in, especially as a first-generation service member."
Family members in attendance reflected on the significance of the moment and the support required throughout the deployment.
"This deployment brings a mix of emotions, but I know it will be a meaningful season of growth for both of us," said Katrina Bondoc, wife of 2nd Lt. James Bondoc. "It gives him the opportunity to grow, serve his country and step into the leader he is becoming."
The 36th Infantry Division will deploy as part of Task Force Spartan, supporting U.S. Army Central's enduring mission to strengthen regional security, reassure allies and partners, and maintain a ready and forward-postured force in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.
The deployment continues the division's long history of overseas service, following its most recent mobilization in 2020 in support of Operation Spartan Shield.
Created in 1917, the division first saw combat during World War I. During World War II, its amphibious assault at Salerno, Italy, made it the first American division to land on the European continent. Throughout the Cold War, the division maintained a continuous overseas presence, followed by peacekeeping missions in the Balkans and Kosovo and multiple deployments in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, New Dawn and Spartan Shield.
Operation Spartan Shield promotes stability across the region and reinforces the United States' enduring commitment to its allies and partners in the Middle East. The deployment highlights the National Guard's ability to provide trained and ready forces in support of global operational requirements.
An official casing of the colors ceremony is scheduled for March at Fort Hood following completion of training and readiness validation.
"We are Texans, we are Guardsmen, and we are ready," Bowlin said. "We go as a team, we serve as a team, and we will all come home as a team."
The United States Army published this content on February 04, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on February 06, 2026 at 02:23 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]