Schweitzer visits Montana troops at Fort Dix Eds: APNewsNow.

AP Photo pursuing HELENA, Mont. (AP) Gov. Brian Schweitzer met Monday at Fort Dix, N.J., with Montana troops preparing to deploy to Iraq.

The 143rd Military Police Company departed from Bozeman on Nov.

7 for final combat training at Fort Dix. They are scheduled to deploy to theater operation this week. The unit's 45 members from across Montana will deploy for one year.

This is the second time the 143rd MP unit has deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom. Many of the current members have deployed multiple times.

Schweitzer on Tuesday will join the nations governors in Philadelphia for a discussion with President-elect Barack Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden about the challenges facing states during the economic crisis. The meeting will be hosted by the National Governors Association.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 12-01-08 1325CST | save this article / add to your favorites list