Eighty Western New York Air National Guardsmen Deploying for Afghanistan on Memorial Day

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A C-130 of the 107th Airlift Wing.

NIAGARA FALLS AIR RESERVE STATION , NY (05/29/2011)(readMedia)-- Eighty members of the New York Air National Guard's 107th Airlift Wing will leave for an overseas deployment for Afghanistan on Memorial Day, May 30. Members of the media are invited to cover their departure.

WHO: Eighty air crew and maintenance Airmen from the New York Air National Guard's 107th Airlift Wing's Operations and Maintenance Squadrons along with family members. Major General James Kwiatkowski, a former commander of the 107th and the commander of the New York Air National Guard will be present.

WHAT: Family Sendoff of the New York Air National Guard's 107th Airlift Wing on its first major deployment of flight operations personnel and aircraft (2 C-130 Hercules transports) since converting from an air-to-air refueling role.

WHEN: 1 p.m., Monday, May 30, 2011

WHERE: Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, Lockport Road, Niagara Falls, New York

Coverage Opportunity:

Imagery of final farewells as Airmen prepare to depart for their overseas deployment. Airmen, family members and Air National Guard leaders, Airmen and family members will be available for media interviews.

Media is requested to be at the Lockport Road gate no later than 12:30 p.m. to be escorted on base.

For access to this secure military facility, media must contact the 107th Airlift Wing's Public Affairs Office, Lt. Col. Deanna Miller, (716)-236-3142, for entry on the base.

BACKGROUND:

Although members of the 107th have deployed numerous times in the past this will be the first large scale deployment for the 107th AW since converting to the C-130. As a result of the 2005 BRAC decision the wing converted from their mission as an air refueling wing flying the KC-135 to an airlift wing flying the C-130. Additionally it was mandated the 107th would associate with their collocated counterparts the Air Force Reserve's 914th Airlift Wing. Both wings now work together flying and maintaining the same aircraft.