Kentucky Air Guard continues high-tempo deployments

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Phil Speck
  • 123rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
KENTUCKY AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, LOUISVILLE, Ky. --  More than 85 members of the Kentucky Air National Guard are being deployed to multiple locations this summer and fall in support U.S. military operations around the world, including Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

The most recent group to mobilize consisted of 26 Airmen from the 123rd Security Forces Squadron, who deployed in support of an Air Expeditionary Force rotation earlier this month. They will provide security at an undisclosed air base in the Persian Gulf region for six months, according to Col. Jeffrey Peters, 123rd Mission Support Group commander.

In other mobilizations, 11 cargo handlers from the 123rd Logistics Readiness Squadron reported to Afghanistan in July and August to support Aerial Port operations, and 11 firefighters from the 123rd Civil Engineer Squadron are slated to deploy overseas in mid-October.

"Mission Support Group has seen an increase in deployments lately as group personnel are deploying as volunteers and in association with Air Expeditionary Force buckets," Peters said. "The 123rd Civil Engineer Squadron, 123rd Force Support Squadron, 123rd Logistics Readiness Squadron and 123rd Security Forces Squadron all have Airmen deployed supporting contingency operations."

Additional personnel from the 165th Airlift Squadron and 123rd Special Tactics Squadron deployed to Afghanistan in June and July, while other Kentucky Airmen are currently supporting domestic missions at sites across the United States.

"Most of the deployments are for six months," Peters noted, adding, "We look forward to our Airmen's safe return to their families."