Maryland National Guard Troops Deployed to Africa
Three hundred soldiers from the 175th Infantry Regiment have departed for a security mission in the Horn of Africa.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Military
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The Maryland National Guard has officially deployed 300 soldiers from the 175th Infantry Regiment to support counterterrorism security initiatives. The troops departed from the Dundalk Readiness Center on Monday morning to begin their mission.
Why it matters
The deployment supports the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, which manages U.S. military operations across East Africa, Yemen, and Somalia. This mission at Camp Lemonnier provides essential support for regional counterterrorism efforts.
The unit is tasked with supporting the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, currently operating from Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti, which serves as the largest U.S. military installation in the region.
The players
Maryland National Guard
This state military force is responsible for supporting both domestic and federal missions under the direction of the Governor and the Department of Defense.
175th Infantry Regiment
This historic infantry unit is a component of the Maryland National Guard with a track record of international deployments.
Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa
This command organization manages U.S. military operations aimed at strengthening security and regional stability in East Africa.
The details
Service members departed the Dundalk Readiness Center this week to begin their assignment in Djibouti. While deployed, the soldiers will support critical mission objectives for the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa.
Timeline
The 175th Infantry Regiment deployed to Iraq in 2007.
The unit conducted peacekeeping operations in the Sinai Desert in 2011.
The current deployment began on Monday morning, September 28, 2026.
Political Context
This deployment follows the historical pattern of the 175th Infantry Regiment, which previously mobilized for assignments in Iraq in 2007 and the Sinai in 2011. Critics of ongoing deployments in the Horn of Africa often raise concerns regarding mission creep and the long-term strategic costs of maintaining permanent bases in unstable regions.
The departure of these 300 soldiers temporarily reduces the available National Guard personnel for local emergency response and community assistance operations in Maryland. Residents should be aware that the state continues to maintain readiness protocols despite this federal mission.
The takeaway
The Maryland National Guard continues to serve both domestic needs and international security priorities through federal mobilizations. Soldiers and their families are tasked with adapting to these extended overseas missions as part of their service commitment.
Further reading
For more on the current role of state guard units, visit the Military section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WBAL.
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