SDANG 06-18

Dec. 6, 2006

 

 

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Christmas will be brighter for the families of 277 South Dakota Air National Guard members. The deployed Airmen are scheduled to return aboard a chartered commercial jet to Joe Foss Field in Sioux Falls on Saturday, Dec. 9, at 4:15 p.m. (CST). The National Guard members departed Sioux Falls in October to an undisclosed operating location in Southwest Asia. While deployed, they served as part of the United States Air Force’s Air Expeditionary Force (AEF) rotation plan in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

 

Approximately 35 Airmen from the South Dakota Air National Guard will remain deployed to Southwest Asia and Europe, in support of the Global War on Terrorism, and are scheduled to return in early 2007.

 

An additional 12 Airmen remain deployed within the United States supporting various Air Force missions including Operation Jump Start, enforcing the United States – Mexico border.

 

The South Dakota National Guard looks forward to the return of all deployed Airmen and will host a homecoming celebration for unit members and their families on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2007 at Joe Foss Field.

 

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For additional information contact Lt. Col. Reid Christopherson at:

Office: 605-988-5644 / Cell: 605-310-9476

Email: reid.christopherson@sdsiou.ang.af.mil

 

Media Note – Media interested in covering the return of the Airmen on Dec. 9 must arrive at the Main Gate of the South Dakota Air National Guard (corner of Algonquin Street and F Avenue) no later than 3:45 p.m. (CST). Return time is subject to change based upon the schedule of the commercial carrier.