Air Guardsmen deploy to Afghanistan

  • Published
  • PAO staff report
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --  Five C-130 Hercules and 140 members of the Alaska's Air National Guard's 176th Wing left Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson earlier this week en route to a three-month deployment to Afghanistan.

The 140 Airmen were taken from the 144th Airlift Squadron, 176th Maintenance Squadron and the 176th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron.
During their deployment, the Airmen will perform intra-theater tactical airlift and airdrops of personnel, equipment and supplies.

Due to its short takeoff and landing capabilities, the C-130 is well suited for operations in Afghanistan where a lack of infrastructure favors aerial resupply.

Air Force Brig. Gen. Charles Foster, 176th Wing commander, said he felt his troops are ready for the deployment which lies ahead of them. He said he felt they've received the training needed to go forward and accomplish the mission.

"(This) is an exciting time, because we've been preparing for this deployment for quite a while," Foster said.

While at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, the mission of the wing is to organize, train and equip members to serve the vital interests of the local community, state and nation by supporting U.S. national security objectives, protecting life and property, and preserving peace, order and public safety and participate in local, state and national programs which add value to America.