Col. Justin Davis, director operations for the Vermont Army National Guard, delivers remarks at the sendoff ceremony for Task Force Mansfield at Camp Johnson, Vermont, May 18, 2021. The Soldiers in Task Force Mansfield are among the last of more than 1,000 slated to deploy to Europe and the Middle East in support of federal missions.

Col. Leonard Poirier (right), officer in charge of Task Force Mansfield, and Capt. Mathew Hefner, an administrative officer in the Vermont National Guard’s operations directorate, review a rehearsal for Task Force Mansfield’s sendoff ceremony May 18, 2021, at Camp Johnson, Vermont. Approximately 50 guests attended the ceremony, the last one of several that have seen the deployment of more than 1,000 Vermont National Guard Soldiers.

Guests applaud for Soldiers assigned to Task Force Mansfield at the end of the task force’s sendoff ceremony May 18, 2021, at Camp Colchester, Vermont. The task force will deploy to the U.S. European Command area of operations for about one year. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Don Branum)

Maj. Jasen Boyd, commanding officer for Task Force Mansfield, receives a Vermont battle flag from Maj. Gen. Greg Knight, the state’s adjutant general, during a sendoff ceremony at Camp Johnson, Vermont, May 18, 2021. The task force will deploy to the U.S. European Command area of responsibility for one year.

Capt. Mikel Arcovitch, commander of the 172nd Public Affairs Detachment, receives a Vermont battle flag from Maj. Gen. Greg Knight, the state adjutant general, during a sendoff ceremony for Task Force Mansfield and the 172nd PAD at Camp Johnson, Vermont, May 18, 2021. The 172nd PAD will document U.S. Army operations in the U.S. European Command area of responsibility.

Vermont National Guard Soldiers assigned to Task Force Mansfield socialize after the end of a sendoff ceremony at Camp Johnson, Vermont, May 18, 2021. The task force is slated to deploy to the U.S. European Command area of responsibility to assist with peacekeeping operations.