Photo By Staff Sgt. Riley Johnson | Members of the official party shake hands with Airmen from the 173rd Fighter Wing...... read more read more
The 173rd Fighter Wing conducted a demobilization ceremony Nov. 4 2017, formally recognizing wildland fire fighters and the 56 Kingsley Field Airmen who deployed during the wing’s first ever large-scale deployment throughout 2017.
The group of Kingsley Field Airmen deployed under a new process called Reserve Component Periods (RCP) in which they support the active component with operations throughout the world.
Nearly 100 Kingsley Airmen helped fight wildfires including those near Crater Lake National Park and the Chetco Bar Fire, which has burned over 191,000 acres.
“The National Guard is known three missions; the war fight, the home front and our partnerships,” said U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Michael E. Stencel, The Adjutant General, Oregon, who was among the official party.
“Today we recognize Airmen who supported two of these missions,” Stencel continued. “Some of them, both in the same year.”
This RCP sent Airmen to countries around the world including United Arab Emirates, Djibouti, Qatar, Jordan, Germany, and Kuwait among others.
Stencel also recognized the families and employers of the deployers.
“First, I would like to offer my thanks and appreciation to those of you who supported our troops while they were deployed…if not for the flexibility of the employers and the support of the families that hold their lives together while they were gone, our Airmen would not have been able to serve.”
The deployed Airmen were from many career fields and represented nearly every organization on Kingsley Field.
Rep. E. Werner Reschke was also part of the official party and spoke to the Airmen and their families thanking them and welcomed them back home.
“I would like to extend a job well done to the deployed Airmen as well as those who have assisted in the wildfires,” Reschke said. “It is my privilege to be here and to offer my personal thanks and the gratitude of your state for your work that you have done and continue to do, well done. Welcome home”
Sen. Ron Wyden and Rep. Greg Walden were unable to attend, but thanked the Airmen for their service in written letters.
“I consider it one of my highest privileges as a United States Senator to represent the men and women of our armed services,” Wyden wrote. “I am truly proud to know that Oregon Air National Guard members continue to represent our great state and country throughout the entire world.”
The first 173rd FW Airmen departed in October of 2016 and the last returned home September 2017.
| Date Taken: | 11.05.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 11.08.2017 16:55 |
| Story ID: | 254706 |
| Location: | 97603, OREGON, US |
| Web Views: | 64 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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