Tennessee – Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and First Lady Maria Lee traveled to the Middle East to visit over 700 soldiers from the Tennessee Army National Guard’s 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment, currently deployed in Kuwait on a year-long mission.
The task force, made up primarily of soldiers from the 2nd Squadron of the 278th, is supporting Operation Spartan Shield, a mission focused on strengthening regional partnerships and maintaining security in the Middle East.
“We owe a debt of gratitude to the Tennesseans who bravely serve our state and nation,” Gov. Lee said. “Maria and I are deeply grateful to our soldiers deployed in the Middle East who demonstrate the Volunteer Spirit through their remarkable commitment to defending our freedoms, and I thank them for their unwavering dedication.”
During their visit, the Governor and First Lady met with service members to personally thank them for their service and received a briefing on the objectives and progress of Operation Spartan Shield. Gov. Lee also met with U.S. Ambassador to Kuwait, Karen Sasahara.
The 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment, headquartered in Knoxville, is the largest unit in Tennessee and one of five armored brigade combat teams in the National Guard. Their current deployment underscores Tennessee’s continued role in global defense operations and international cooperation.