Farrar deploys to Qatar with 1137th MP Company

KENNETT, Mo. -- Spc. Rusty Farrar, of Altenburg, is one of nearly 130 Missouri National Guard Soldiers deploying to Qatar with the 1137th Military Police Company, of Kennett.

The 1137th joins more than 450 Citizen-Soldiers under the command of the 175th Military Police Battalion and Lt. Col. Sharon Martin. The Soldiers have been undergoing extensive pre-mobilization training in Missouri for their yearlong mission.

Soldiers spent 29 days training at Camp Crowder for pre-mobilization training that allowed them to learn necessary skills for deployment. They trained with hand grenades, hand-to-hand combat techniques, how to run a military post checkpoint and much more. Soldiers will finalize appropriate training for deployment at Camp Shelby, Miss. before heading to Qatar.

Farrar has been with the Army National Guard for five years and has been deployed to Iraq in 2008-2009 support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Haiti in 2010 in support of earthquake disaster relief.

"I am going to miss my wife and kids, but I am looking forward to serving my country," said Farrar.

Qatar is located on the Arabian Gulf and serves as a central hub for all U.S. military activity in the region. The unit will be providing security for military bases and personnel in Qatar, which is both a staging area for equipment and a rest and relaxation area for military personnel.

Farrar is currently attending Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau.

Farrar is supported in his military career by his wife, Nickie; his children Raelynn, 9, Elizabeth, 8, Danyel, 6, and Trey, 5; and his parent Dan and Cindy Farrar, of Jackson.

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