[4/30/03] Although deployments of thousands of soldiers to Iraq’s capital city are expected in coming weeks, the mission of military policemen from Vicksburg is not expected to change.

The Clinton-based 114th Military Police Company of the Mississippi Army National Guard includes 119 soldiers, including a Vicksburg-based detachment of 30.

All have been activated, some to replace other military policemen deployed from Fort Hood, Texas, said Maj. Danny Blanton. Of the 11 whose homes are listed as in Vicksburg, eight are at Fort Hood and three are deployed to one of four Air Force or Air National Guard bases in the state, Blanton said.

The Vicksburg detachment’s other 19 members live elsewhere and travel here for drill, he added. The 114th also has a detachment in Canton.

“We have not received any information that we will be getting a change in mission,” Blanton said Tuesday, adding that such a change could still occur.

The three from Vicksburg deployed to air bases are among 40 from the 114th who are participating in Task Force Falcon, Blanton said. Among the installations that task force is meant to protect are Columbus and Keesler Air Force bases, the Mississippi Air National Guard’s Key Field in Meridian and Thompson Field in Jackson, Blanton said.