SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - South Dakota Air National Guard members continue to deploy overseas in support of the Global War on Terrorism. 170 Airmen, from various units throughout the 114th Fighter Wing, will depart Joe Foss Field Thursday, Oct. 19, for an undisclosed operating location in Southwest Asia.

Gov. Mike Rounds, Maj. Gen. Michael A. Gorman, adjutant general, and Col. Russ Walz, commander of the 114th Fighter Wing, will speak to the deploying Airmen and their families during the send-off ceremony at the South Dakota Air National Guard facility in Sioux Falls at 5:30 p.m.

Deploying with these Airmen will also be 15 additional Air National Guard members from units in New York, Michigan, Massachusetts, Indiana and Arkansas. The Airmen will deploy in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom as part of the United States Air Force's Air Expeditionary Force (AEF) rotation plan. These deploying members will join the 74 Airmen who deployed Sept. 11, 60 Airmen who deployed Oct. 7 and five Airmen who will deploy Oct. 16. The Airmen will support Air National Guard F-16 fighter operations in the region. Return dates will vary; however, all will remain deployed for 45 days or longer.

Throughout the coming weeks an additional 17 Airmen from the South Dakota Air National Guard will deploy to locations throughout Europe and Southwest Asia as part of the United States Air Force's Expeditionary Combat Support (ECS) rotation plan. These Airmen will deploy in support of both Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. While deployed, these personnel will support United States Air Force mission support operations. Return dates for the Airmen will also vary. All will remain deployed for 30 days or longer.

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