The Athen-based Alabama Army National Guard's 128th Military Police Company has been called to active duty in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

The 128th includes personnel from Athens, Decatur, Hartselle, Moulton, Muscle Shoals and Florence. The company will have a departure ceremony at 2 p.m. Saturday in Huntsville at the Rock Worship Center, 2300 Memorial Parkway S.W.

The 128th Military Police Company will deploy more than 170 soldiers to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The company will provide security forces support to units based there.

The 128th will continue to undergo extensive training at a mobilization station before deploying later this winter.

The Alabama National Guard has called more than 18,000 personnel to active duty since Sept. 11, 2001, and remains a top contributor among the nation's National Guard organizations.