105th Airlift Wing Honors 200 Airmen Who Deployed to War Zones

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105th Airlift Wing Airmen receive awards at a Hometown Heroes cermony in 2009.

STEWART AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, NEWBURGH, NY (09/30/2011)(readMedia)-- Over 200 members of the New York Air National Guard's 105th Airlift Wing ,who have served in support of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, will be recognized Sunday, October 2, during a "Hometown Heroes Salute" at Stewart Air National Guard Base.

WHO: 200 members of the 105th Airlift Wing who have served for at least 30 days on Active Duty in Support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and/or Operation Enduring Freedom since Sept. 11, 2001, and their families have been invited to attend.

WHAT: Airmen being honored will receive a Hometown Heroes Salute Coin with Letter of Appreciation signed by the ANG Director and Command Chief Master Sergeant. The spouse or significant other of the Airman will receive a Hometown Heroes Salute logo engraved pen and pencil set and Hometown Heroes Salute logo medallion. Each child will receive HHS logo engraved dog tags. Members of the media are invited to attend the event and interview wing leaders, airmen and their families about their service and this recognition program. New York Air National Guard Chief of Staff Brig. General Anthony German and New York Air National Guard Command Master Chief Sgt. Richard D. King will attend.

WHEN: 1:30 p.m. Sunday, October 2, 2011

WHERE: , Stewart Air National Guard Base, 1 Maguire Way, Newburgh

Coverage Opportunities:

Opportunities to interview leaders of the 105th Airlift Wing, the Airmen and their families about their service in support of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, their service in the New York Air National Guard. Leaders will be available for interviews.

Members of the Media interested in covering the event should contact Capt. Patrick Cordova or Tech Sgt., Michael O'Halloran no later than 1230 on Sunday, October 2 for access to this secure military facility.

Background:

Air National Guard Hometown Heroes Salute

In August 2008, the Director of the Air National Guard sanctioned the Air National Guard Hometown Heroes Salute (HHS) recognition program.

The purpose of this program is to celebrate and honor Airmen, families, communities and those special supporters who have significantly contributed to supporting our Airmen and the Air National Guard's mission.

A committee was formed to establish the awards and criteria for eligible ANG members. The committee recognized that the family has a very important role in support of the deployment. Therefore, the family will be honored along with their military member.

Each member being recognized will receive a framed Hometown Heroes Salute Coin with Letter of Appreciation signed by the ANG Director and Command Chief Master Sergeant. The spouse or significant other will receive a HHS logo engraved pen and pencil set and HHS logo medallion. Each child will receive HHS logo engraved dog tags. Each airman received a formal invitation and must RSVP before 24 July 2009 to ensure proper seating for their family.

105th Airlift Wing:

The 105th Airlift Wing was one of three Air National Guard units in the country with an operational C-5 mission. The wing is now in the process of converting to the more modern C-17 Globermaster III aircraft.