Hawaii Air National Guard Tankers Return from Deployment
Posted on Oct 7, 2014 in FY2014, In The News, News Release, Video
For Immediate Release Oct. 7, 2014
#2014-0018
Hawaii Air National Guard Tankers Return from Deployment
Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam —Two Hawaii Air National Guard (HIANG) KC-135 Stratotankers and airmen who had deployed to the U.S. Central Command’s (CENTCOM) area of responsibility (AOR) returned home early this morning. The airmen were greeted in the pre-dawn darkness by state adjutant general Maj. Gen. Darryll Wong, and unit and family members. The HIANG tankers and airmen from the 203rd Air Refueling Squadron (ARS) and 154th Maintenance Squadron had deployed to the CENTCOM AOR in July. They were joined by several members of the active duty Air Force’s 96th Air Refueling Squadron, which is also based at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. Approximately 40 airmen participated over the span of the four month deployment. While deployed to the CENTCOM AOR, the HIANG and active duty flight crews refueled various types of U.S. Navy and Air Force aircraft that are conducting operations in and around Iraq.
Due to host nation sensitivities and operational security concerns, the HIANG will not disclose the exact location the tankers and airmen had deployed to. The deployment had been scheduled well in advance and was not specifically tied to supporting airstrikes against terrorist targets in Iraq and Syria.
Video of the homecoming at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam can be downloaded at:
https://www.dvidshub.net/video/365061/hawaii-air-national-guard-tankers-return-deployment#.VDRECyldXfI
Media Contact:
Lt. Col. Charles Anthony
Public Affairs Officer
808-733-4258
www.hawaii.gov/dod