Department of Defense

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

DAVID Y.  IGE
GOVERNOR

BRIG. GEN. ARTHUR J. LOGAN
DIRECTOR

MEDIA RELEASE

Jan. 13, 2015

#2015-002

MAUI-BASED HAWAII AIR NATIONAL GUARD UNIT DEPLOYS TO U.S. CENTCOM AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY

Kahului, Hawaii – More than 40 members of the Hawaii Air National Guard’s (HIANG) 292nd Combat Communications Squadron, based in Kahului, Maui, and two other HIANG units are deploying to the U.S. Central Command’s Area of Responsibility (CENTCOM AOR) for a six month deployment.  Augmenting the 292nd Combat Communications Squadron are several airmen from the HIANG’s 291st Combat Communications Squadron, based in Hilo, Hawaii and the HIANG’s 154th Force Support Squadron, based at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.

The deploying airmen are scheduled to depart Hawaii this evening. The HIANG airmen will primarily provide base communications during the deployment such as satellite telecommunications, computer networking, telephone, and mobile radio services as well as some other base support functions.  The CENTCOM AOR encompasses the area of Southwest Asia and most of the Middle East.  Due to operational security reasons and host nation sensitivities, the Hawaii National Guard is not disclosing the country where the airmen will be deployed.

Previously, the 292nd Combat Communications Squadron deployed airmen to various locations within the CENTCOM AOR in 2006 and 2009.

The 292nd Combat Communications Squadron is part of the 154th Wing, the largest Air National Guard wing in the nation.  The 154th Wing flies and maintains F-22 Raptor fighter aircraft, KC-135 Stratotanker refueling aircraft and C-17 Globemaster III transports.   The Hawaii Air National Guard is comprised of approximately 2,500 airmen whose federal mission is to be trained and available for active duty operational missions.  Its state mission is to be trained and available for domestic operations at home, including relief and recovery operations following a natural disaster.

For more information, please contact Lt. Col. Anthony, Director of Public Affairs, at the number below.

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///SIGNED///
CHARLES J. ANTHONY, Lt. Col. , HIANG
JF HQ Hawaii National Guard
Director, Public Affairs
(808) 733-4258 fax:  X4236