175 Mont. guardsmen leave for Iraq

[unhappycamper]

175 Mont. guardsmen leave for Iraq
The Associated Press
Posted : Friday Feb 29, 2008 10:01:52 EST

GREAT FALLS, Mont. — Gov. Brian Schweitzer arrived in Great Falls at 2 a.m. Friday to wish 175 members of the Montana Air National Guard’s 120th Fighter Wing a safe trip as they deploy to Iraq.

Schweitzer told the group they are “the best-trained, best-equipped warriors in the world.”

The Guard unit departed shortly after 4 a.m. for a 60-day deployment. They will serve at Balad Air Base, just north of Baghdad.

Fifty members of the 120th are already in Iraq.

The airmen will fly and maintain their squadron of F-16 fighter jets while in Iraq. They will be assigned to the 322nd Air Expeditionary Wing to help provide close-air support.


Article at: http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2008/02/ap_montanaguard_022908/