COLUMBUS — About 160 members of the Ohio Army National Guard’s 1487th Transportation Company, based in Piqua, are deploying to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility in support of Operation Spartan Shield in southwest Asia.

A call-to-duty ceremony for the deploying soldiers is planned for 2 p.m. Thursday at Piqua High School.

According to the U.S. Army Central website, Task Force Spartan is made up of active Army and National Guard units and “maintains a U.S. military posture in Southwest Asia sufficient to strengthen our defense relationships and build partner capacity” through Operation Spartan Shield.

While deployed, the unit will provide transportation assets and support to various units throughout the CENTCOM area of responsibility.