MCENTIRE JOINT NATIONAL GUARD BASE, S.C. -- Approximately 150 Airmen assigned to the South Carolina Air National Guard’s (SCANG) 169th Fighter Wing deployed in support of 9th Air Force (Air Forces Central) to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.
This is the unit’s first deployment as an expeditionary air base team under the new Air Force Force Generation, or AFFORGEN, model.
XABs are designed to capitalize on the camaraderie and trust of Airmen who have lived and worked together stateside. They are small, flexible, teams composed of Airmen from the same base that are trained in a wide variety of jobs to carry out the mission.
“We have deployed time and time again with professionalism, dedication to duty, and unwavering excellence,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Michael A. Ferrario, 169th FW commander. “I have great confidence that this deployment will be no different, and that our Airmen will successfully model how an XAB should be implemented.”
The SCANG will be joined by other active and reserve units aligned under the CENTCOM AOR. Together, the Total Force unit will provide agile combat support for CENTCOM operations throughout the Middle East.
“The Swamp Foxes are fully prepared to support the CENTCOM mission and execute the National Security Strategy,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Walter Hummel, 169th Mission Support Group commander. “We will work alongside active-duty brothers and sisters and partner nations to bring stability to the region. Our Airmen have trained extensively to execute any mission they may be called to do. We look forward to proudly representing the Air National Guard and the State of South Carolina.”
This is the SCANG’s largest deployment since 2021 when they previously supported an Air Expeditionary Force rotation to Middle East.
Date Taken: | 10.17.2023 |
Date Posted: | 10.17.2023 12:13 |
Story ID: | 455969 |
Location: | MCENTIRE JOINT NATIONAL GUARD BASE, SOUTH CAROLINA, US |
Web Views: | 1,310 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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