Deployment Ceremony Will Be Friday for DC Air Guardsmen Headed to Iraq

WASHINGTON, DC (01/27/2010)(readMedia)-- A deployment ceremony for an F-16 fighter aviation package from the DC Air National Guard headed for Iraq will be at the 201st Airlift Squadron, Hangar 8, Andrews AFB on Friday, Jan. 29, at 2 p.m.

-- Date / Time – Friday, Jan. 29 at 2 p.m.

-- Location – 201st Airlift Squadron, Hangar 8

Andrews Air Force Base, Md.

More than 175 airmen will be given a send-off while family members get a last chance to say goodbye after the ceremony.

During their deployment, the Capital Guardians will support ground commanders with defensive counter-air, close-air support and reconnaissance operations. The phased deployment includes pilots, aircraft maintainers and support personnel.

"These men and women living in DC, Maryland and Virginia, who have civilian jobs here, are volunteering to fulfill this duty by deploying," said Lt. Col Timothy Madden of the 121st Fighter Squadron. "Each person is a volunteer for this mission, and I'm proud to work alongside them."

Guard members serve one weekend each month and two weeks per year to maintain operational currency and complete missions at their home unit. However, when their wing is in an Air Force deployment window, members are ready to serve overseas.

"The last Air Expeditionary Force deployment for the wing was in 2006," Madden said. The wing has to balance the number of deploying personnel with what is needed at Andrews to continue its 24/7 alert mission, he added.

The DC Guard is partnering with units from South Dakota and New Jersey. They will share F-16 aircraft and parts during their four-month rotation.

Media representatives planning to attend the ceremony should contact Lt. Col. Kevin McAndrews at 202-821-7181 to make arrangements to be escorted into Andrews AFB. For more information, contact the DC National Guard Public Affairs Office at (202) 685-9862 or kevin.m.mcandrews@us.army.mil.