Three Airmen from Delaware Air Guard return home tonight, June 11, 2008 after five months of duty overseas; six fellow Airmen returned home June 6 Published Feb. 17, 2009 By 040608 NEW CASTLE, Delaware -- Delaware Air National Guard Headquarters, 166th Airlift Wing 2600 Spruance Drive New Castle, DE 19720-1615 Contact: Tech. Sgt. Benjamin Matwey Public Affairs Specialist, 166th Airlift Wing, Delaware Air National Guard Cell 302-593-2126, or Office 302-323-3369 E-mail: Benjamin.Matwey@denewc.ang.af.mil Release No. 2008-06-004 June 11, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NEW CASTLE - Early this evening, June 11, three Airmen from the 166th Aerial Port Flight, Delaware Air National Guard, will arrive home at Baltimore-Washington International Airport after five months of duty in Southwest Asia serving with the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing. Fellow Airmen and senior officers will drive the Airmen home by van to reunite with family. The 379th AEW is one of the largest, most diverse expeditionary wings in the Air Force, providing combat airpower and support for the Global War on Terrorism in Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom and through support of the Joint Task Force Horn of Africa. The wing and its associate units operate more than 100 aircraft, making the base a large hub for humanitarian airlift activity while providing mission-essential combat power, aeromedical evacuation and intelligence support for three theaters of operations. Airmen from aerial port flights handle all cargo and passengers for a variety of Air Force aircraft, including C-5, C-17 and C-130 aircraft, to ensure safe and timely loading and unloading, and to account for every item on the flight manifest. The three Airmen arriving tonight will complete out-processing tomorrow morning, June 12 at the New Castle air base. They will then enjoy some well-earned leave. Another six Airmen from the same unit returned home Friday night, June 6, after five months of duty. They out-processed on base Saturday June 7. The nine total unit Airmen left New Castle, Del. Jan. 12, 2008 to start their overseas duty. All of these missions are part of the Delaware Air National Guard's support of Air Force Aerospace Expeditionary Force deployments of at least 120-days that active duty, reserve and guard units support on a rotational basis every 20 months. These particular missions have lasted five months to meet Air Force needs for the job specialties provided. "A good number of our Airmen leave for duty and return home in very small groups to meet Air Force requirements. They often receive little fanfare," said Col. Jonathan Groff, wing commander, 166th Airlift Wing. "Their welcome may be low-key, but the dedication to duty and commitment to our nation demonstrated by these Airmen rises to the same standard of excellence and valor exhibited by every one of our Airmen during these times of combat. We happily join with co-workers, neighbors, friends and family in welcoming these dedicated American Airmen and warriors back home." If media wish to conduct interviews of this small group, please contact PUBLIC AFFAIRS at cell number 302-593-2126. The Delaware Air National Guard is a reserve component of the U.S. Air Force with 1,100 positions under Command of the Governor of Delaware, or the President of the United States when mobilized. The Delaware ANG has been serving Delaware and the United States of America since 1946. This release is in the public domain, and any part may be used as written. - 30 -