BAUMHOLDER, Germany – Ten soldiers with the Pennsylvania National Guard’s 109th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment began their deployment here, Jan. 8, 2026, with U.S. Special Operations Command Europe in support of Operation European Assure, Deter and Reinforce.
“We’re assisting SOCEUR and the special operations enterprise with conveying their themes and messages,” said Maj. Travis Mueller, 109th MPAD commander. “Using photography, videography, written news, media relations and digital media management, we are helping manage the flow of information to the public and maintain transparency and trust.”
The 109th MPAD, which falls under the 213th Regional Support Group, Pennsylvania Army National Guard, will deliver essential public affairs planning and coverage of SOCEUR’s mission to collaborate, train and provide deterrence alongside U.S. NATO Allies, and partner-nation units. The mission fulfills the DoW mandate to maintain transparency with the public by releasing timely and accurate information.
“The 109th MPAD will play a critical role in shaping the information environment, ensuring the military narrative is accurately represented while adhering to journalistic ethics and operational security,” said Mueller.
The 109th MPAD has undergone a rigorous training program since 2021 to prepare for this deployment and passed a demanding validation exercise of real-world events requiring public affairs coverage, including the production of photo, video and news content as well as media engagement with local news reporters. In all, the unit released over 5,329 images, 558 videos and 106 news stories to the public since 2021.
“For many of our Soldiers, this is the first time they get to use their public affairs skills to highlight NATO Allies and partnerships and the special operations forces community,” said 1st Sgt. HollyAnn Nicom, 109th MPAD senior enlisted leader.
Operation EADR boosts the American military presence and readiness in Europe and seeks to enhance the security and capacity of NATO Allies and regional partners.
“I don't have a job back home since I was a student, so I'll be applying for jobs or deciding whether to do my master’s," said Sgt. David Thomson, a public affairs specialist in the 109th MPAD. "I will be taking every opportunity I can to get content here for my professional portfolio. I want to take advantage of any conferences or professional development opportunities that come up."
The unit’s leadership said they have made it a priority for all MPAD Soldiers to use their time wisely and take every opportunity to fulfill their varied personal and professional goals during the rotation, so they are prepared for life after deployment.
“The last time I deployed it was as a brigade PAO and I could be very focused on that role, but now, as a commander, I need to oversee the team, manage expectations and morale, ensure people are focused on mission accomplishment, keep loved ones informed back home and deal with issues as they arise,” Mueller said, about the challenges on this deployment.
He added that the unit’s mobilization process included morale challenges, including leaving shortly before the holidays and spending much of the pre-mobilization time at Fort Hood, Texas not knowing exactly when they would get to Germany.
“This deployment will probably be my last one,” said Nicom. “I served two combat tours to Iraq and multiple homeland missions. I’m very proud of being here with the 109th and specifically with this group of Soldiers. I think we’re going to go home after this deployment with a lot of fantastic memories and an excellent portfolio from our missions that we’re proud of.”
Several deploying members of the unit are award recipients of the Maj. Gen. Keith L. Ware Communications Awards Competition, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal or inductees into the Honorable Order of St. Gabriel by the Army Public Affairs Association.
“I have full confidence in our team to accomplish our various missions and to go home at the end of this proud of what we’ve done,” said Mueller.