The new commander of the Red Bull Infantry Division in Rosemount understands all the emotions experienced when a son or daughter is deployed in combat to protect Americans and their freedoms. Major Gen. Ben Corell has three sons who have chosen to protect and serve. More…

Soldiers from the 34th Red Bull Infantry Division – many of whom are based in Rosemount, Inver Grove Heights and Faribault – have officially been told to prepare for a possible fall 2018 deployment to southwest Asia.

In a release Sunday, the Minnesota National Guard said more than 500 soldiers will prepare in the next year for the deployment.
If it happens, the deployment is expected to last about a year.

Division spokesman Maj. Scott Ingalsbe said the mission would likely be headquartered in Kuwait, with some troops potentially based in Jordan. The division would provide additional support across neighboring countries as well.

“The Red Bulls maintain a high level of readiness, and over the next 12 months, our soldiers will train for this mission while also preparing their families and civilian employees here at home,” said Maj. Gen. Jon Jensen, the 34th Infantry Division commanding general, in a release.

Ingalsbe said the 34th division would most likely take over the mission currently being filled by the now-deployed 35th Infantry Division out of Kansas City.

The 34 Infantry Division was formed 100 years ago this month, according to the release. It initially trained at Camp Cody, New Mexico, before a deployment to France in the fall of 1918 shortly before the armistice that ended World War I.