Kentucky Airmen deploy to Afghanistan

  • Published
  • By Capt. Dale Greer
  • 123rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs Officer
The first 34 of more than 210 Kentucky Air National Guardsmen deployed to Baghram Air Base, Afghanistan, on July 5 to provide airlift services in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. 

The Airmen, assigned to the unit's 123rd Airlift Wing, included pilots, navigators, loadmasters, maintenance personnel and various support troops. 

Additional rotations of Kentucky Airmen and C-130 aircraft will deploy through Sept. 10, when the wing is expected to complete its participation in the mission. 

Most of the troops will serve on rotations lasting approximately 30 days before being replaced by further rotations of Kentucky Air Guardsmen, officials said. 

While deployed, the Airmen will fly airlift missions in the Central Command area of responsibility, which includes Afghanistan, Iraq and Northern Africa. 

Since Sept. 11, 2001, more than 8,818 members of the Kentucky Army and Air National Guard have deployed worldwide in the Global War on Terror. 

"I'm extremely proud of our troops for answering the call to deploy for this mission," said Col. George Scherzer, commander of the 123rd Airlift Wing. 

"Once again, Kentucky's citizen-Airmen have shown their desire to step up to the task and go wherever they're needed, anywhere in the world."