Photo By 1st Lt. Wes Parrell | Soldiers from the Arizona Army National Guard's Detachment 31 Operational Support...... read more read more
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PHOENIX – The Arizona Army National Guard hosted a sendoff ceremony for members of Detachment 31 Operational Support Airlift Agency here March 10.
The Soldiers are deploying to the Middle East in support of Operation Joint Guardian. During this deployment, the members of Detachment 31 will provide airlift support throughout the region.
The detachment commander, Chief Warrant Officer 4 Henry Jasso, spoke highly of the Soldiers’ dedication to duty and personal sacrifices.
“They have worked very hard to get here and they truly epitomize the best this country has to offer,” Jasso said. “You would be hard pressed to find this amount of experience and capability in any other military unit.”
The Arizona Army National Guard’s fixed wing detachment was formed in 1986 and has flown over 600 hours annually in support of both U.S. and international missions, including numerous humanitarian missions throughout Central and South America. Over the course of this small detachment’s 30 year history, they have maintained a high operational tempo and achieved an impeccable record for safety and mission accomplishment.
Brig. Gen. John Hoefert, land component commander of the Arizona Army National Guard, addressed the sacrifice these Soldiers are making to answer our nation’s call.
“No matter how many times you mobilize, how diverse your mission, or where on the globe you serve, no single deployment is any more significant than another,” Hoefert said. “Each time you are sent away, the impact on the mission, and those who support you is equally great. You inspire us all with your selfless service and love of country.”
This will be the fourth deployment for Detachment 31 since Sept. 11, 2001, with previous deployments in 2004 and 2009 to Operation Iraqi Freedom, and to Operation Enduring Freedom in 2012.
| Date Taken: | 03.11.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 03.11.2016 13:38 |
| Story ID: | 192070 |
| Location: | PHOENIX, ARIZONA, US |
| Web Views: | 559 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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