Rowan County Commissioner Mike Caskey will be absent from commissioner meetings for at least a few months as he serves in the Middle East with the National Guard.

The county issued a release on Thursday stating that Caskey had been deployed to the region as part of Operation Spartan Shield, a military operation aimed at strengthening relationships with U.S. partners in the region and strengthening their defense capacities. Caskey is a member of the North Carolina National Guard.

“Serving in uniform alongside my fellow service members is a great honor. While my duties in the Middle East will take me away from home, my commitment to the people of Rowan County is unwavering. I look forward to returning to continue serving in my capacity as county commissioner,” said Caskey.

Caskey is expected to be absent from the commissioner meetings until his return to the States in 2025. County Manager Aaron Church confirmed that Caskey will be remaining on the board during his service, which will take him through the upcoming election, where his seat on the board is up for election. As Caskey prepared for his deployment, the release stated that he expressed gratitude for the support shown by his family, colleagues and the residents of Rowan County.

“Mike is a wonderful husband and father to three children. He is such an important part of our team. Mike has been the glue that holds the Rowan County Commission together. As a fellow believer, I’ve seen firsthand that Mike’s life is driven by his strong faith and an unwavering commitment to the service of others. Mike has our utmost respect, and we honor him for his service to our community and our nation. We are fortunate to call him a friend. Our prayers go out to Mike and his family during this time, and we are trusting in his safe return,” said Board of Commissioners Chairman Greg Edds.